Formulation and evaluation of Ketoprofen cream containing natural anti-inflammatory agent curcuma longa in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs have their origin as the derivatives of plants which were observed to have strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in various disease states. Ketoprofen is a better tolerated NSAID because of its limited numbers of adverse effects and topical formulation has excellent permeation and absorption into the skin. The present investigation was to develop novel Ketoprofen cream formulation in combination of most effective and potent anti-inflammatory agent curcuma longa, which is reported to possess strong anti-inflammatory effects in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis, according to the study by university of Arizona researchers. Combination of Ketoprofen and curcuma longa is good rational, where curcuma longa produces synergistic anti-inflammatory effects with ketoprofen. Formulation containing fixed concentrations (3%) of ketoprofen with curcuma longa was prepared. To access the efficacy of formulation stability studies, spread ability, tube extrudability, viscosity, pH, skin irritation test, in vitro drug diffusion study and anti- inflammatory effects were evaluated. The results obtained were encouraging and formulation containing Ketoprofen (3%) with curcuma longa was found better than alone Ketoprofen cream formulation.