Formulation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Ibuprofen Emulgel using Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Nigella sativa L. as a Natural Excipient

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of alkafeel, Najaf, Iraq

2 Al-Najaf Health Directorate, Najaf, Iraq

3 Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq

4 Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Ahl Al Bayt University, Kerbala, Iraq

Abstract

Emulgels have been developed as a potential drug delivery system for hydrophobic drugs. This study aimed to formulate an ibuprofen emulgel, utilizing Carbopol 940 as a gelling agent and ginger oil and black seed oil as penetration enhancers. An emulsion was prepared and then incorporated into a gel base. All prepared ibuprofen emulgel formulations (F0–F6) demonstrated acceptable physicochemical properties suitable for topical application. The pH values (4.1–5.8) were within the normal physiological range for skin, indicating that the emulgels are safe and non-irritating. Although increasing concentrations of ginger oil and black seed oil led to a decrease in pH values, these readings remained within the permissible range. The blank formulation (F0) exhibited the highest spreadability, while formulations containing ibuprofen and natural oils showed moderately lower values. Ginger oil formulations (F1-F3) demonstrated moderate and consistent spreadability. Black seed oil formulations (F4-F6) had slightly lower, but still acceptable, spreadability values. Viscosity tests indicated that the blank formulation had the highest viscosity. Increasing the proportion of ginger oil resulted in a rapid drop in viscosity, while black seed oil formulations maintained relatively higher viscosity values. This confirms that natural oils influence the rheology and flow properties of the gel. A skin irritation test confirmed that all formulations were non-irritating for up to 24 hours post-application. In conclusion, all screened formulations were stable, safe, and suitable for the topical delivery of ibuprofen. Variations in natural oil concentration affected viscosity and spreadability but did not compromise skin compatibility.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1.  

    1. Donthi M.R., Munnangi S.R., Krishna K.V., Saha R.N., Singhvi G., Dubey S.K. Nanoemulgel: a novel nano carrier as a tool for topical drug delivery. Pharmaceutics. 2023; 15(1): 164.
    2. Das S., Kumar M., Mukherjee S., Shafi S., Singh A.K., Mishra M.K. Next-generation bi-gel platforms for site-specific anticancer delivery. Expert Opin Drug Deliv. 2026; 23(1): 99-112.
    3. Jain A., Kumar P., Verma A., Mohanta B.C., Ashique S., Pal R., Kumar S., Mishra N. Emulgel: A Cutting Edge Approach for Topical Drug Delivery System. Curr Drug Res Rev. 2025; 17(2): 217-236.
    4. Wojtylko M., Nowicka A.B., Froelich A., Szybowicz M., Banaszek T., Tomczak D., Kuczko W., Wichniarek R., Budnik I., Jadach B., Kordyl O., Bialek A., Krysztofiak J., Osmalek T., Lamprou D.A. Characteristics of Hydrogels as a Coating for Microneedle Transdermal Delivery Systems with Agomelatine. Molecules. 2025; 30(2).
    5. Al-Alsadoon L., Taqa G., Al-Saffar M. EVALUATION OF PAIN-KILLING ACTION OF ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID NANOPARTICLES ON THERMAL NOCICEPTION IN MICE. Georgian Med News. 2023; (339): 57-61.
    6. Chavez J.C., Girgis A.S., Aziz M.N., Khurana S., Carr B., Verbeck G.F., Panda S.S. Hybrid Conjugates of Ibuprofen and 3,5-Diarylidene-4-Piperidone: A New Avenue in Anti-Inflammatory Drug Discovery. ChemMedChem. 2025; 20(19): e202500342.
    7. Shirakawa K., Takeno M., Kuma H., Terahara T., Yamaguchi S. Comparative Evaluation of Cyclooxygenase Inhibition Profiles Across Various NSAID Forms and Doses: Implications for Efficacy and Adverse Effects. Pain Ther. 2025; 14(1): 329-338.
    8. Thalappil S., Al-Nesf M. Selective COX-2 inhibitor continues to be a safe alternative in patients with nonselective NSAIDs hypersensitivity. Qatar Med J. 2022; 2022(2): 4.
    9. Alavi M., Hamblin M.R., Aghaie E., Mousavi S.A.R., Hajimolaali M. Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of catechin, gallic acid, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate: focus on nanoformulations. Cell Mol Biomed Rep. 2023; 3(2): 62-72.
    10. Ma J., Hane S., Eglauf J., Pfannkuche J., Soubrier A., Li Z., Peroglio M., Hoppe S., Benneker L., Lang G., Wangler S., Alini M., Creemers L.B., Grad S., Hackel S. Celecoxib alleviates nociceptor sensitization mediated by interleukin-1beta-primed annulus fibrosus cells. Eur Spine J. 2023; 32(6): 2048-2058.
    11. Ma Q., LeBouf R.F., Rimayi C.C., Lim C.S., Fekedulegn D., Park J.H., Porter D.W. Sterile Inflammation in Mouse Lung Driven by Lipid Mediator Pathways Following MWCNT Exposure. Chem Res Toxicol. 2026; 39(1): 189-203.
    12. Toth S.H., Stoica A.D., Sevcencu C. Redesigning Ibuprofen for Improved Oral Delivery and Reduced Side Effects. Bioconjug Chem. 2025; 36(5): 893-913.
    13. Fazeli-Nasab B., Bidarnamani F. Medicinal Plants and Herbal Compounds: Cancer Prevention and Treatment. [Review/Systemtic review]. Plant Biotechnology Persa. 2022; 4(1): 25-35.
    14. Sobhanizadeh A., Solouki M., Fazeli-Nasab B. Optimization of callus induction and effects of biological and non-biological elicitors on content of phenol/flavonoid compounds in Nigella sativa under in-vitro conditions. Journal of Cell & Tissue. 2017; 8(2): 165-184.
    15. Szymczak J., Zielinska A., Chen J., Denora N., Souto E.B., Cielecka-Piontek J. Recent advances in the improvement of the bioavailability and therapeutic effect of ginger extracts and its main constituents. Food Chem. 2026; 507: 147161.
    16. Torrecampo J.C., Marcial N., Tenebro C.P., Salcepuedes J.J., Cruz P.F.S., Cruz P.A.C., Saludes J.P., Dalisay D.S. Spatial Profiling of Gingerol and Shogaol Analogues in Intact Zingiber officinale Rhizomes Using MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging. Molecules. 2026; 31(4).
    17. Wei L.S., Tahiluddin A.B., Wee W. A glimpse on influences of ginger and its derivatives as a feed additive in finfish farming: A mini-review. Heliyon. 2025; 11(2): e41914.
    18. Zaky A.A., Akram M.U., Rybak K., Witrowa-Rajchert D., Nowacka M. Bioactive compounds from plants and by-products: Novel extraction methods, applications, and limitations. AIMS Molecular Science. 2024; 11(2): 150-188.
    19. Maskare R., Thakre S., Gupta V., Basantwani M., Kshirsagar A., Bahekar T., Jaiswal A. Formulation and evaluation of emulgel for topical delivery of dexibuprofen. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2022; 15(2): 745-750.
    20. Safitri F.I., Nawangsari D., Febrina D. Overview: Application of carbopol 940 in gel. Paper presented at the International Conference on Health and Medical Sciences (AHMS 2020). 2021
    21. Lukić M., Pantelić I., Savić S.D. Towards optimal ph of the skin and topical formulations: From the current state of the art to tailored products. Cosmetics. 2021; 8(3): 69.
    22. Kiriyama T., Shimazaki K., Nakashima R., Takahashi H. Thin Glass Micro Force Plate Supported by Planar Spiral Springs for Measuring Minute Forces. Micromachines (Basel). 2023; 14(5).
    23. Meenatchi Sundaram S., Naik J.R., Natarajan M., Acharya K.A. Design and development of an IoT-based trolley for weighing the patient in lying condition. Front Digit Health. 2024; 6: 1339184.
    24. McMahon M.E., Abbott A., Babayan Y., Carhart J., Chen C.-w., Debie E., Fu M., Hoaglund-Hyzer C., Lennard A., Li H., Mazzeo T., McCaig L., Pischel S., Qiu F., Stephens D., Timpano R., Webb D., Wolfe C., Woodlief K., Wu Y. Considerations for Updates to ICH Q1 and Q5C Stability Guidelines: Embracing Current Technology and Risk Assessment Strategies. The AAPS Journal. 2021; 23(6): 107.
    25. de Souza B.G., de Castro Hoshino L.V., Faccin T.S., Baesso M.L., Borghi-Pangoni F.B., Bruschi M.L. Design of Passion Fruit Oil Emulgel for Topical Chrysin Delivery and Ex Vivo Evaluation of Skin Permeation by Photoacoustic Spectroscopy. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2025; 26(6): 173.
    26. Yilmaz Usta D., Teksin Z.S., Tugcu-Demiroz F. Evaluation of Emulgel and Nanostructured Lipid Carrier-Based Gel Formulations for Transdermal Administration of Ibuprofen: Characterization, Mechanical Properties, and Ex-Vivo Skin Permeation. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2024; 25(5): 124.
    27. Ahmadi N., Rincon M., Mallandrich M., Suner-Carbo J., Sosa L., Zelaya M., Martinez-Ruiz S., Cordero C., Calpena A.C. Novel Gels for Post-Piercing Care: Evaluating the Efficacy of Pranoprofen Formulations in Reducing Inflammation. Gels. 2025; 11(5).
    28. Bayan M.F., Chandrasekaran B., Alyami M.H. Development and Characterization of Econazole Topical Gel. Gels. 2023; 9(12).
    29. Chawalke P., Zafar A., Binshaya A.S., Shmrany H.A., Hazazi A., Abalkhail A., Khan F.R., Satpute K., Syed S.M. Topical Miconazole Nanogel: In Vitro Characterization, In Vivo Skin Irritation, and Enhanced Antifungal Efficacy. Drug Dev Res. 2025; 86(4): e70106.
    30. Ijaz F., Nasir B., Rashid S.A., Naseem F., Jalil A., Riaz A., Latip J., Alzahrani K.J., Alsharif K.F., Azad A.K. Colistin adorned topical nanoemulsion gel formulation for enhanced anti-microbial activity. Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1): 34064.
    31. Kishore A., Jain A., Asthana N., Milan R., Mohanalakshmi S., Gupta M., Mahor A.K., Kanoujia J. Selection Criteria for Oils, Surfactants, and Co-Surfactants in Ocular Nanoemulsion Formulation: A Mini Review. Curr Pharm Des. 2025; 31(16): 1259-1269.
    32. Rajput A., Gaur R., Kulshreshtha M., Jadaun S.S., Kumari V. Development and Evaluation of Celecoxib Emulgel by Using Natural Oil. Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem. 2024; 23(2): 129-137.
    33. Rozanska S., Rozanski J., Wagner P., Warmbier-Wytykowska E. Rheological Properties of Emulsions Stabilized by Cellulose Derivatives with the Addition of Ethyl Alcohol. Materials (Basel). 2024; 17(24).
Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 15, Issue 4
July and August 2026
Pages 487-492

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics