ETHANOL

Luffa cylindrica is a popular, medicinal vine belonging to the Curcubitaceae family that reproduces from seeds. Commonly called loofah, Luffa cylindrica is used in treating pains, backaches, rheumatoid arthritis, fever, syphilis, dysentery and tumours. Luffa cylindrica fruit extracts, using ethanol was studied to explore its In-vitro antioxidant activity and HPLC profile. DDPH (α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl) radical, FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power), Hydroxyl radical, and Nitric oxide scavenging activity were assayed to determine the antioxidant capacity of Luffa cylindrica. Also, bioactive compounds were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Phytochemical screening of the ethanoic extract of the Luffa cylindrica fruit extracts indicated the presence of steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, alkaloids and phenolic compounds. Quercetin was the most predominant compound present.

Background and objective:
Herbosomes can be defined as modified liposomes that encapsulate botanical extracts and enhance their stability, bioavailability and helps targeted administration in herbal medicine. This study aims to evaluate various properties of Cymbopogon citratus extract herbosomal cream and complex Cymbopogon citratus extract into a herbosome and incorporate into cream.
Methodology: In this study Ethanolic extraction of Cymbopogon citratus was carried out using a maceration method. The resultant dried extract were then complex into herbosomes of ratios 1:1, 1:2, 2:1 using soy lecithin obtained from. Each of these herbosome complexes were then incorporated into a Non-ionic oil in water cream base (SQ1-SQ3) respectively along with creams containing Lecithin, Plain Cymbopogon citratus extract and Vitamin E (SQ4-SQ6) respectively. The creams were then weighed and put into their respectively labeled jars. Different tests were then carried out on the formulated creams such as evaluation of physiochemical properties( Viscosity, pH, Spreadability, Homogeneity, Freeze and thaw tests),Evaluation of Antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging test, Evaluation of Antibacterial activity, and biological and safety tests (Ex-vivo studies and Irritancy test).
Results:Creams SQ1-SQ6 showed Viscosity ranges from 26.17 to 36.70, pH ranges from 4.4 to 4.8, Spreadability ranges from 6.03 to 9.65, Homogeneity properties along with the freeze and thaw test were carried out and the cream was seen to be smooth with no coarse particles and, with no physical changes seen after the freeze and thaw test. These creams were seen to have Antioxidant properties with SQ1 showing the highest Antioxidant activity of 56.81%, However, there was no Antibacterial activity seen for the Cymbopogon citratus herbosomal creams . For the Ex-vivo studies it was seen that complexing Cymbopogon citratus extract into a Herbosome enhanced the permeability of the Cream across the skin membrane of a Sprague-Dawley rat with SQ3 showing a Percentage release of 61.7% after 3 hours. No irritancy was observed with use of the creams.
Conclusion: Cymbopogon citratus herbosomal cream exhibited good Physiochemical and Antioxidant Properties. Complexation of Cymbopogon citratus in a herbosome enhanced its lipid permeability