Fabrication of anti-vitiligo ointment containing Psoralea corylifolia: in vitro and in vivo characterization

Figures & data

Table 1 Composition of 1,000 g of hydrophilic ointment containing 10% w/w seed powder of PC

Serial no	Ingredient	g	%
1	Methylparaben	0.25	0.025
2	Propylparaben	0.15	0.015
3	OO	6	0.6
4	PG	110	11
5	Stearyl alcohol	250	25
6	White petrolatum	250	25
7	Powdered seed (PC)	100	10
8	Purified water	283.6	28.36

Notes: The procedure for preparation of hydrophilic ointment is as follows:

1. Melt the stearyl alcohol and the white petrolatum on a steam bath and warm to ~75°C.

2. Add the other ingredients including drug (powder form of PC) previously dissolved in the water, warm to 75°C and stir the mixture until it congeals.

3. Preserve the ointment by packaging and storing in tight containers.

Abbreviations: PC, Psoralea corylifolia; OO, olive oil; PG, propylene glycol.

Table 2 Factor combination as per chosen experimental design and translation of coded levels in actual units

Trial no	Coded factor level		Permeation, enhancers (g)
	X1	X2	PG	OO
I	−1	−1	110	06
II	1	−1	120	06
III	−1	1	110	10
IV	1	1	120	10
V	0	0	115	08
VI	−1	0	110	08
VII	0	−1	115	06
VIII	1	0	120	08
IX	0	1	115	10
X	0	0	115	08
XI	0	0	115	08
XII	0	0	115	08
XIII	0	0	115	08
Coded levels	−1		0	1
X1 (PG)	110		115	120
X2 (OO)	06		08	10

Abbreviations: PG, propylene glycol; OO, olive oil.

Table 3 Phytochemical screening of powdered form of PC

Tests	Results
Flavonoids	+
Tannins	−
Phenols	+
Glycosides	+
Saponins	+
Carbohydrates	−
Alkaloids	+
Coumarins	−
Psoralens	++

Note: Present = +, strongly present = ++ and absent = −.

Abbreviation: PC, Psoralea corylifolia.

Table 4 Rheological report of formulated ointment by rheometer

Serial no	Viscosity (cP)	Speed	% torque	Shear stress (dyn/cm)	Shear rate (1/sec)	Temperature (°C)
1	744.17	10.00	60.63	148.83	20.00	24.33
2	671.62	13.00	71.09	174.62	26.00	24.35
3	630.12	16.00	82.10	201.64	32.00	24.38
4	606.24	19.00	93.82	230.37	38.00	24.38
5	570.18	22.00	110.00	250.83	44.00	24.43
6	510.11	25.00	110.00	287.54	50.00	24.45
7	440.35	28.00	110.00	220.92	56.00	24.45
8	380.76	31.00	110.00	219.44	62.00	24.45
9	290.26	34.00	110.00	180.36	68.00	24.53
10	229.34	37.00	69.14	169.71	74.00	24.50
11	200.78	40.00	65.41	160.62	80.00	24.55
12	173.92	43.00	60.93	149.57	86.00	24.55

Figure 1 Effect of increased shear stress on viscosity of formulation.

Figure 2 Response surface plot showing the influence of PG and OO on viscosity of formulation.

Note: X₁ = A = PG and X₂ = B = OO.
Abbreviations: PG, propylene glycol; OO, olive oil.

Figure 3 Contour plot showing the influence of PG and OO on viscosity of formulation.

Note: X₁ = A = PG and X₂ = B = OO.
Abbreviations: PG, propylene glycol; OO, olive oil.

Figure 4 FTIR spectrum of powdered form of PC.

Abbreviations: FTIR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; PC, Psoralea corylifolia.

Figure 5 FTIR spectrum of formulation containing PC seed powder.

Abbreviations: FTIR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; PC, Psoralea corylifolia.

Figure 6 (A–C) Evolution of pigmentation.

Notes: Arrows were pointed toward the small circular white spots to elaborate the stepwise pigmentation of skin. (a) Before start of treatment; (b) after 12 days of start of treatment; (c) after 24 days of start of treatment; (d) after 36 days of start of treatment; (e) after 48 days of start of treatment; (f) after 60 days of start of treatment; (g) after 72 days of start of treatment; (h) small circular white patches of vitiligo into normal skin within 12 weeks of treatment; (a1) self-control before start of treatment; (a2) self-control after completion of treatment period.