Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Emulgel for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The study developed a polyherbal emulgel for topical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, using extracts from Rubia cordifolia, Vitex negundo, Piper nigrum, and Myristica fragrans, known for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The emulgel aimed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and minimize systemic side effects by combining the benefits of emulsions and gels. Various formulations were tested, with formulation F3 showing optimal results, including ideal viscosity, superior spreadability, uniform drug content (98.6%), and maximum drug release (89%) over 8 hours. The study concludes that this polyherbal emulgel is a promising alternative for managing rheumatoid arthritis, offering sustained release and improved patient compliance.