Anti-inflammatory potential of Herbal gel containing Urtica dioica extract against Arthritis
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Despite the anti-inflammatory potential of plant extracts against Arthritis, no major studies have been published about the effect of the Urtica dioica (UD) plant's aerial part on the disease. Arthritis, an autoimmune joint disorder, causes pain, inflammation, and cartilage and bone damage. Synthetic drugs used for pain relief often have adverse effects. This study utilized plant UD, to prepare herbal gel and compared its efficacy with marketed diclofenac gel. Novel drug technology was employed to enhance the gel's release and stability. Herbal gels were prepared by using polymers such as gum katira, carbopol and sodium alginate with a simple dispersion method. Polyherbal gel was prepared using different oils dispersed in sodium alginate gel. Phytosomes were prepared using soy lecithin and dichloromethane via thin film hydration with methanolic UD extract and then dispersed into a gel base. The gels were evaluated for various parameters and compared with marketed diclofenac 1% gel. Prepared UD gels exhibited a smooth, dark- to light-brown appearance, with 32.4 mg/TAE/g polyphenol content. DSC analysis confirmed the chemical integrity of the prepared gel. Skin irritation tests on rabbits were negative and showed inhibition of edema in a carragenan-induced hind rat paw edema model. The gels were stable when subjected to accelerated stability studies for 3 months. These findings suggest that herbal gels could serve as effective, safer alternatives to synthetic NSAIDs for chronic conditions.