Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Hydrogel Containing Ageratum conyzoides Leaves Ethanol Extracts

Abstract

Ageratum conyzoides Linn. can be used for wound healing. The main compound found in Ageratum leaves is 5'-methoxy nobiletin, a class of polymethoxyflavone that may treat pain and inflammation. The pharmaceutical preparation chosen for the development of Ageratum leaf as a wound-related pain relief is a hydrogel, because of its several advantages, namely, it is more convenient, practical, and forms a rinseable film layer that gives a cool feeling to the skin. This study intends to explore the impact of numerous concentrations of ethanol extract of Ageratum leaves on the physical evaluation of hydrogels. Hydrogel preparations were made with varying concentrations of Ageratum leaf ethanol extract 5%, 6%, and 7.5%. The resulting formula was physically assessed to ensure its quality. The assessment included organoleptic, homogeneity, degree of acidity, spreadability, viscosity, and FT-IR analysis. Statistical data processing of the physical quality of hydrogels was carried out using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to test whether there was a significant difference between formulations. The results showed that all formulas were in accordance with the evaluation requirements including the organoleptic, homogeneity, acidity degree (pH), spreadability, viscosity, and FT-IR analysis. There was no significant change in the spreadability and pH of the formulations over 28 days. Based on the results of organoleptic tests, homogeneity, viscosity, acidity degree, spreadability, and FTIR analysis, it is known that all formulas achieved all physical requirements. This indicates that the hydrogel composed of carbomer 940 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose can be an ideal base for ethanol extract of Ageratum leaves.