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. 2022 Aug 29;14(9):1812.
doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14091812.

Design, Formulation, and Evaluation of Aloe vera Gel-Based Capsaicin Transemulgel for Osteoarthritis

Narayana Charyulu Rompicherla  1 , Punam Joshi  1 , Amitha Shetty  1 , Kalvatala Sudhakar  2 , Hawraz Ibrahim M Amin  3   4 , Yachana Mishra  5 , Vijay Mishra  2 , Aqel Albutti  6 , Naif Alhumeed  7
Affiliations

Design, Formulation, and Evaluation of Aloe vera Gel-Based Capsaicin Transemulgel for Osteoarthritis

Narayana Charyulu Rompicherla et al. Pharmaceutics. .

Abstract

Topical treatments are a potential therapeutic option for the therapy of osteoarthritis, with significant data supporting the effectiveness and safety of topical formulation. Topical gel formulations may offer an alternative to oral formulations to relieve osteoarthritis (OA) pain while decreasing systemic exposure. Topical capsaicin transemulgel may represent an effective and safe alternative. The transemulgel was prepared from aqueous Aloe vera gel and Carbopol 934 with capsaicin in clove oil emulsion. The optimized transemulgel of capsaicin showed a pH of 6.1 ± 0.1 and viscosity of 15263-998 cps. Data from in vitro diffusion demonstrated improved permeability properties. The formulation caused no skin irritation when applied topically. The optimal transemulgel spreadability was found to be 20.23 g·cm/s. In vitro and ex vivo studies of the optimized formulation were performed. The skin irritant test was performed on rat skin with an optimized and marketed formulation. Both showed no irritation on the skin. The transemulgel of the capsaicin with Aloe vera gel was proven to be effective for osteoarthritis therapy.

Keywords: anti-inflammatory agent; arthritis; capsaicin; drug delivery; emulsion; topical.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Modified vertical Franz diffusion cell apparatus.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Spreadability test using the wooden block method.
Figure 3
Figure 3
FTIR spectrum of: (A) Carbopol 934; (B) clove oil; (C) Tween 80; (D) triethanolamine; (E) capsaicin; (F) optimized transemulgel formulation.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Pseudo-ternary phase diagram of: (a) Smix ratio 1:1; (b) Smix ratio 2:1; (c) Smix ratio 3:1.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Contour plot and response surface plot for the effect of factors on drug content.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Perturbation plot and response surface plot for the effect of factors on diffusion.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Optimization of the transemulgel formulation.
Figure 8
Figure 8
The viscosity of optimized transemulgel (MM10).
Figure 9
Figure 9
In vitro diffusion studies of optimized transemulgel formulation.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Ex vivo diffusion studies of optimized transemulgel formulation.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Skin irritation test; (a) optimized formulation subject, Group I; (b) marketed formulation, Group II; (c) controlled subjects (blank transemulgel), Group III; (d) standard subject (plain drug), Group IV. After applying the different formulations on skin irritation test animal subjects, their effects are shown in (e–h), respectively.
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