Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Face Gel Using Cucumber Fruit Extract

Cucumber, which is called Cucumis sativus L., is part of the Cucurbitaceae family and is an important fruit vegetable in the economy.There are three wild or semi-wild types of cucumber:- C. sativus L. var. Hardwick, C. Clover L. var Sikkimensis, and C. sativus L. var. Xishuangbanna. Cucumbers are originally from India and are believed to have come from the foothills of the Himalayas _[1,2]. Since a long time ago, people have known that cucumbers have anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, cucumbers and their extracts are used  on the skin to help with various skin issues like sunburns and the puffiness under the eyes _[3].Numerous studies have reported on the anti-inflammatory properties of cucumber aqueous extracts, but the active ingredients have not been identified_.[4,5] A recent study found that an amino acid fraction reduced the amount of inflammation induced by angiotensin II in human endothelial cells.

Fig no.1. fruit & extract of cucumber Sativus

Fig.no.2. Flower of cucumber Sativus

Scientific  classification of Cucumber :-

1. Botanical Name:   Cucumis sativus Linn.        
2. Order:  Cucurbitales
3. Local Name:  Hindi- Khir
4. Family:  Cucurbitaceae 
5. Kingdome:  Planate
6. Subfamily:  Cucurbitaceae 
7. Division:  Angiosperms
8. Genus:  Cucumis 
9. Class:  Eudicots
10. Species:  C. sativus 

Gel :-

A gel is a system comprising at least two parts that is solid or semisolid and is made up of a condensed mass that is surrounded and permeated by a liquid. The epidermal structure that gives gel and jelly their solid-like qualities is one of their distinguishing features. Even though gels and jellies are made up of a tiny number of solids distributed throughout a big volume of liquid, they behave more like solids than like liquids_[6].

Ideal properties of gel :-

1. The gel should be translucent and homogeneous. 
2. The gel should shatter easily in the event that shear or force is applied when the container is shaking.
3. The composition of the gel need to be inert.
4. The gel can't have any stickiness.
5. The gel must never come into contact with any other formulation ingredient.
6. The gel has to be trustworthy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS :

Materials:

Cucumis sativus L :

Cucumber advantage:- Provides several benefits for skincare:

1. It helps keep the skin hydrated, soothes and cools the skin, offers antioxidant protection, reduces inflammation, brightens the skin, controls oil production, gently exfoliates, fights signs of aging, offers natural skincare benefits, and gives a refreshing feel_{. [7]}

Cucumber disadvantage:-

1. It is that they are prone to certain pests and diseases, such as cucumber beetles, aphids, and powdery mildew, which can harm their growth and reduce yield if not properly managed. Additionally, cucumbers need regular watering and can be affected by drought, which may lower their productivity in dry climates. _[8]

Cucumis sativus L extract was collected:

The plant materials were authenticated at the P.G. Department of botany and research centre, MSG arts, science and commerce college, Malegaon camp, Nasik by Dr. Atul N. Wagh. The carbopol, glycerine, triethanolamine, benzyl alcohol, orange oil and deionized water were obtained from the Department of Pharmaceutics, SVS IOP

Methods:

Preparation of cucumber extract:

1. 1. Pick out fresh cucumber fruits, wash them well, and then rinse them with purified water.
   2. After cleaning your workspace and equipment, chop the cucumber into thin slices.
   3. Put 120g of the sliced cucumber into a 500ml beaker that has been cleaned and sterilized.
   4. Add 200ml of deionized water, 1 gram of methyl paraben, and 5ml of glycerine to the cucumber mixture.
   5. Keep the beaker sealed tightly for five days. Shake the mixture for a few seconds at least once each day.
   6. After five days, use a clean cotton cloth to filter the extract.Then transfer the cucumber extract to a clean container_.[9]

      Fig.No.04: 1st day                        Fig.No.05: After 5 days

1. 2.5 grams of fruit extract from Cucumis sativus L. was mixed with 0.25 grams of carbopol and 25 milliliters of deionized water.
2. Then,0.38 grams of glycerin and 0.25 grams of The Benzyl alcohol, 0.35 grams of triethanolamine, and two to three drops of orange oil were added and mixed together.
3. The rest of the deionized water was then added to bring the total volume up to 25 ml, which helped achieve the right consistency for the gel.
4. The gel was placed in a container and stored away from direct sunlight.

Fig . No.06: Formulation of gel

Table 1 : gel base formulation (2.5%)

1. Organoleptic evaluations

The gel thus obtained was evaluated for itsorganoleptic properties like colour, odour, and taste. The appearance of the gel was judged by itscolour and roughness and graded. Results arelisted in Table2

2. pH

A digital pH meter was used to measure the pH of several gel formulations. Two hours were spent storing 2.5g of   meticulously weighed gel that had been diluted in twenty-five ml of distilled water.The average values of the triplicate pH measurements are shown for each formulation. Using a pHmeter, the dispersions' pH was determined _[10]

A pH paper was use to measure the pH of gel formulations. Green coloured indicates the neutrals pH between 6 to 7.

3. Homogeneity

Every gel that had developed was checked for homogeneity after it had been put inside the container and visually inspected for appearance and the presence of aggregates_[11]

4. Spreadability

It illustrates how rapidly the gel spreads across the  skin or affected area after application. The degree to which a detail is well-known also affects its utility. Spreadability is defined as the amount of time, under a specific stress, it takes for two slides to separate from the gel that is sandwiched between them. It is possible to achieve better spreadability by separating two slides in less time. Viscosity Using a Brookfield rotational viscometer with spindle number 64, the viscosity of the herbal gel was measured at 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 rpm. Following the sample's two-minute equilibrium, each reading was obtained. Three attempts were made to determine the samples' viscosity _[12,13]

5.  Grittiness

In the unlikely event that no visible particulate matter was observed with a light magnifying lens, the four definitions were analysed extremely closely to determine whether particles existed. The gel arrangement clearly satisfies the requirements for any effective preparation, including the necessity for independence from specific materials and from coarseness_[14].

6 . Irritation

A small patch of skin is usually used to test a gel's irritation by applying it there and keeping an eye out for any negative side effects, like redness, itching, or inflammation. Accurate results and safety are ensured by adhering to the correct protocols and guidelines when conducting such tests_.[15]

7. Viscosity

Using a Brookfield rotational viscometer with spindle number 64, the viscosity of the herbal gel was measured at 5, 10, 20, 30, and 50 rpm. Following the sample's two-minute equilibrium, each reading was obtained. Three attempts were made to determine the samples' viscosity _[16,17]

8. Accelerated stability studies

All of the formulations underwent accelerated stability experiments, which involved constant time intervals of 20 days at room temperature. Parameters including homogeneity, viscosity, physical changes, pH, and smear type_.[18]

RESULT :-

Colour and Appearance

Characterization of the polymer Colour and appearance: The polymer's colour and appearance are as indicated in Table 3 below, which has been verified.were examined during the stability studies20.

Table 2: Colour and Appearance

Evaluation of the Formulation for Topical Gel Examining the body Colour and appearance were examined as physical characteristics.

Table 3: Physical parameters such as colour and appearance

pH

Many gel formulations had their pH values determined using a digital pH meter. We weighed out 2.5g of gel and diluted it in 25ml of distilled water. We then stored it for two hours. Phosphorus was measured three times for each formulation.

Table 4: pH

Homogeneity

After the gels were placed in the container, all developed gels were examined visually to ensure homogeneity.

Table 5: Homogeneity

Spreadability

After sandwiching the formulation between two glass slides and applying a 100g weight to the upper glass slide for five minutes, the formulation was compressed to a consistent thickness. There were 50 grams of weight in the pan. The time it took to separate the two slides was used to calculate spreadability.

Table 6: Spreadability

Grittiness

In the unlikely event that no visible particulate matter was observed with a light magnifying lens, the four definitions were analysed extremely closely to determine whether.

Table 7: Grittiness

Irritation test

Testing the irritation of a gel typically involves applying it to a small patch of skin and monitoring for any adverse reactions.

Table 8: Irritation

Viscosity

The Brookfield rotational viscometer was used to measure the viscosity of the gel at 5, 10, 20 30, and 50 rpm. Following the sample's two-minute equilibrium, each reading was obtained. There were three iterations of the samples.

Table 9: Viscosity

DISSCUTION:

The current work was completed on the formulation and assessment of the herbal gel. Anumber of factors are taken into consideration when evaluating gel, including its colour, consistency, pH,  Spreadability, grittiness, stability, homogeneity, and skin irritancy test results. The study also found the prepared herbal gel included every necessary component of a gel composition intended for topical use. The goal of the current study was to produce a cucumber face gel. There was good spreadability in the produced mixture. The gel had an excellent PH. During storage, gel does not exhibit any kind of pH separation. The gel had a non-grassy texture and was simple to remove once applied. The composition did not cause irritation or damage to the skin.

Fig.No.07: Before Application of Gel        Fig.No.08: After Application of Gel