Development and Evaluation of Stability of a Gel Formulation Containing the Monoterpene Borneol

Abstract

Borneol is a bicyclic monoterpenoid alcohol commonly used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. It is extracted from the essential oil of various medicinal plants. It has antibacterial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory action proven in studies that used oral and intraperitoneal applications of this monoterpene in mice. The current study was designed to develop a topical gel formulation containing the monoterpene borneol using carbopol as gel base and to evaluate its stability. The prepared formulation was subjected to physical characterization and physical-chemistry assessment. The gel was prepared from carbopol and 5% of borneol. The prepared gel was subjected to pharmacotechnical tests such as its pH, viscosity, conductivity, spreadability, centrifugation, and accelerated stability with freezing-thaw cycle. The borneol was successfully incorporated into the carbopol formulation. Borneol gel (BG5) showed good stability after eight months of its development and after 12 days in the freeze-thaw cycle, not showing statistical difference in pH value, conductivity, and viscosity before and after test. Furthermore, the formulation showed a good spreadability. Therefore, it was concluded that the formulation could be very promising alternative for the topical or transdermal treatment of skin diseases.

Pharmaceutical topical gel containing proanthocyanidin polymers-rich fraction from Stryphnodendron adstringens

“…The centrifugation test is considered as a screen test for the development of gels, since instability signals indicate increased particle mobility and the need of a new formulation (Dantas et al, 2016). According to our evaluation, TG remained translucent and without precipitates or lumps after centrifugation.…”

Anti-inflammatory and healing action of oral gel containing borneol monoterpene in chemotherapy-induced mucositis in rats ( Rattus norvegicus )

“…Furthermore, borneol is also considered an acid pH substance (Xiao-Fei et al, 2008). Dantas et al (2016) used a topical gel formulation with 5% borneol which had a pH of 3.95.…”

Monoterpenes modulating cytokines - A review

“…This monocyclic monoterpene possesses a pungent, bitter taste and fragrant odor, and is synthesized from turpentine oil or camphor. It has been used as an analgesic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in pharmaceutical formulations Dantas et al, 2016;Wang et al, 2017). It is also found in various plants, such as sage (Salvia officinalis), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and lavender (Lavandula officinalis) (Bhatia et al, 2008;Elalfi et al, 2015).…”