Herbal formulation

Mosquito-borne diseases continue to pose a significant public health challenge worldwide, increasing the demand for safe, effective, and environmentally friendly mosquito repellents. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a herbal mosquito repellent cream containing extracts of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), neem (Azadirachta indica), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), and clove (Syzygium aromaticum), which are well known for their insect-repellent and antimicrobial properties. The herbal extracts were incorporated into a cream base using the emulsification method to obtain a stable topical formulation. The prepared cream was evaluated for its organoleptic characteristics, pH, homogeneity, spreadability, viscosity, washability, irritancy, stability, and mosquito repellent activity. The formulation exhibited acceptable physicochemical properties, good stability, and was non-irritant to the skin. The mosquito repellent evaluation demonstrated satisfactory protection against mosquito bites for a considerable duration, indicating the synergistic effect of the selected herbal ingredients. The findings suggest that the developed herbal mosquito repellent cream is a promising natural alternative to synthetic chemical repellents, offering effective protection with improved safety and better skin compatibility. Further studies involving large-scale stability testing and clinical evaluation are recommended to establish its long-term efficacy and commercial potential. Keywords: Herbal mosquito repellent cream, Lemongrass, Neem, Tulsi, Clove, Herbal formulation, Topical cream, Natural insect repellent.

Mucoadhesive oral gels have gained significant attention in recent years as a localized medication delivery method that works well for treating mouth ulcers, which affect 20–25% of people in general at some point in their lives. By incorporating polymers such as carbopol, HPMC or chitosan, these gels form an intimate bond with the moist oral mucosa, creating a protective film that shields the lesion from mechanical irritation, saliva dilution and secondary infection. These formulations adhere to the oral mucosa, ensuring prolonged contact time and sustained drug release at the site of the lesion, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes and patient compliance. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of herbs used for mouth ulcers such as Glycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice), Ocimum sanctum (tulsi), Punica granatum (pomegranate peel), and Mentha piperita (peppermint). Collectively, these herbs deliver a synergistic phytochemical profile, glycyrrhizic acid and ursolic acid provide potent anti?inflammatory and antiviral actions, eugenol and rosmarinic acid offer rapid analgesia and broad?spectrum antimicrobial action while ellagitannins and menthol accelerate epithelial regeneration and impart a cooling, soothing sensation. This article also describes about herbal mucoadhesive gel preparation method and evaluation parameters such as pH, viscosity, spreadability, mucoadhesive strength, and stability, and gives basic knowledge that polyherbal approach offers a safer alternative with fewer side effects and supports the growing preference for natural, plant-based treatments in modern healthcare compared to conventional mouth ulcer treatments.