Development, Characterization, and Stability Evaluation of the Anti-Cellulite Emgel Containing Herbal Extracts and Essential Oils

Abstract

Recently, the herbal compress was successfully developed and applied for cellulite treatment. The aim of this study was to formulate a more convenient dosage form of herbal application from the original formula. In addition, we aimed to characterize and evaluate the stability of the developed dosage form. A gelled emulsion, or an “emgel,” incorporated with 0.1 wt% tea and coffee extracts (1:1 ratio) plus 5 wt% essential oils (mixed oil) was prepared. The caffeine content in the finished product obtained from tea and coffee extracts analyzed by HPLC was 48.1 ± 2.3 µg/g. The bio-active marker monoterpenes of mixed oil characterized by headspace GCMS were camphene 50.8 ± 1.8 µg/mg, camphor 251.0 ± 3.2 µg/mg, 3-carene 46.7 ± 1.8 µg/mg, α-citral 75.0 ± 2.1 µg/mg, β-citral 65.6 ± 1.3 µg/mg, limonene 36.8 ± 6.7 µg/mg, myrcene 53.3 ± 4.5 µg/mg, α-pinene 85.2 ± 0.6 µg/mg, β-pinene 88.4 ± 1.1 µg/mg, and terpinene-4-ol 104.3 ± 2.6 µg/mg. The stability study was carried out over a period of 3 months at 4, 25, and 50 °C. The caffeine content showed no significant changes and passed the acceptance criteria of ≥80% at all tested temperatures. However, monoterpenes showed their stability for only 2 months at 50 °C. Therefore, the shelf-life of the emgel was, consequently, calculated to be 31 months using the Q10 method. Thus, the anti-cellulite emgel was successfully formulated. The characterization methods and stability evaluation for caffeine and monoterpenes in an emgel matrix were also successfully developed and validated.

Effects of Solvent System and Storage Condition on Chemical Stability of 5(alpha)-Reductase Inhibitor Compounds in Tectona grandis L.f. Leaf Extracts

“…Prediction of shelf-life by the Q10 method A Q10 method is a technique for predicting product shelf life. The ratio of time to equal harm at 2 temperatures is assumed to increase at a constant rate for a 10 °C rise in temperature [18,19]. The shelf-life of 1 and 2 in ethanolic extract and crude ethanolic extract in PG at 30 °C (Zone IV mean kinetic temperature) was estimated using the following equation:…”

Polymeric Hydrogels for Controlled Release of Black Tea and Coffee Extracts for Topical Applications

“…Several reports show that tea extract, coffee extracts, and their components have multiple bioactivities [ 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. These can be used to treat various skin conditions like wounds, cellulitis, ultraviolet (UV) damage, acne, and aging [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Several reports show that tea extract, coffee extracts, and their components have multiple bioactivities [ 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. These can be used to treat various skin conditions like wounds, cellulitis, ultraviolet (UV) damage, acne, and aging [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. The potential topical applications of these extracts are protection from oxidative stress and UV damage [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], anti-inflammatory [ 11 , 28 , 29 ], wound-healing [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], and sunscreen properties [ 34 ].…”

“…Turkoglu et al showed protection against UV damage using aqueous black tea extract loaded into a carbomer gel showed UV damage (erythema) protection in human subjects [ 61 , 62 ]. Recently, Ngamdokmai et al showed carbopol 940 (a carbomer) gel with emulsion loaded with tea and coffee extracts for cellulite application [ 15 ]. Though commercially available carbomers can be formed into gels, they do not provide three-dimensional structure and rigidity for specialized applications such as facial film masks for topical use.…”