Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of Emulgel Formulation of Local Thyme Essential oil (Thymus Serrulatus Hochst. Ex Benth) for the treatment of Candida Albican skin infection
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Date
2023
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The genus thyme is an aromatic evergreen shrub with many branches and a woody base found all
over the world, but it is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean region of temperate
zones. The genus Thyme is represented in Ethiopia by two endemic species, T. serrulatus and T.
schimperi. T. serrulatus is found in Gondar, Bale, Tigray, Wollo, and Semen Showa.
Traditionally, this plant has been used primarily to treat fungal infections. However, no research
has been conducted to evaluate the plant's emulgel formulation for the treatment of candida
albican skin infection. Therefore, the aim of this study was to prepare, characterize and evaluate
emulgel formulations of local thyme essential oil (T. serrulatus) for the treatment of candida
albican skin infection. The essential oil of T. serrulatus was extracted using a hydro-distillation
method with a Clevenger type apparatus. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was
used to examine the chemical composition of T.serrulatus oil. Seven emulgel formulations with
2% T.serrulatus oil, various types and concentrations of emulsifying agents (Span 80, Tween
80), gelling agents (Na CMC and HPMC at 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% concentrations), and 7.5%
virgin olive oil and liquid paraffin as oil phases were prepared. The physical appearance
(consistency, homogeneity, phase separation, and texture), pH, spreadability, extrudability,
viscosity, swelling index, and drug content uniformity of the prepared formulations were
characterized and evaluated. Following the selection of the best formula, it was tested for in vitro
drug release, in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC using the disc diffusion
method, skin irritation on rat skin, and three-month stability study. According to the GC/MS
analysis, the extracted thyme serrulatus essential oil was light yellowish in color and contained
22 compounds. The essential oil's main constituents are thymol (36.92%), O-cymene (26.05%),
carvacrol (19.15%), and -terpinine (8.24%). Seven of the prepared emulgel formulations (F3, F6,
F7, F10, F11, F14, and F15) demonstrated acceptable physicochemical properties with creamy
white to pale white color appearance and excellent homogeneity, consistency, texture, and
pleasant odor. Furthermore, no phase separation or aggregates were observed. The pH of the
formulations was within an acceptable range for skin. The viscosity, spreadability and
extrudability were optimum for the better patient compliance. In both the blank and drug-loaded
emulgel formulations, the swelling index was rapidly increased and maintained for 90 minutes.
VI
The drug content uniformity in five emulgel formulations was within the official pharmacopeia
limit (F6, F10, F11, F14, and F15) 95%, 90.8%, 98.2%, 101.3%, and 97.5%, respectively. The
thyme serrulatus oil emulgel drug release was good after 6 hour release time. Thyme serrulatus
oil emulgel exhibited a strong inhibition zone (36 mm) of antifungal activity against the tested
pathogen, a wider zone of inhibition than the marketed miconazol cream (28mm). The result of
irritation test showed no edema and erythema. Thyme serrulatus oil emulgels maintained their
Physico-chemical stability at 30 ±5℃ /65±5 RH and at 5 ±3 ℃ storage conditions. From this, the
result of this study demonstrated the potential application of emulgel formulation of thyme
serrulatus oil with acceptable physico chemical properties for the treatment of candida albicans
skin infection
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Keywords
Thyme serrulatus, topical, emulgel, in vitro antifungal activity, skin irritation test, candida albican