ECBALLIUM ELATERIUM; A POSSIBLE TOPICAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG

Owing to the toxicity of Ecballium elaterium (EB) when taken orally, the aim of this investigation was to prepare gel formulations of this drug for the treatment of inflammation. The anti-inflammatory activities of EB extract was studied in comparison with Diclofenac sodium market topical gel (Diclogesic gel®), using the carrageenan induced paw edema model in male albino rats. The pharmacological screening revealed that the percent reduction of edema produced by EB extract (85.32%) was lower than that of Diclogesic gel® (78.78%), i.e. it is more effective as anti-inflammatory agent than the market diclofenac sodium. Three types of gel formulations were prepared containing 1, 2 or 3% of EB in three gel bases, namely; Sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose (NaCMC), Plantago seed husks (PT), and Sodium alginate (NaAlg). EB 3% in NaCMC-gel was found to have comparatively the highest releasing and penetration power through the cellophane membrane and hairless mouse skin, respectively. NaCMC-gel showed similar diffusion coefficients (Dapp) to PT- gel (1-1.5), while NaAlg preparations showed lower results (0.5). However, the permeability coefficient results revealed that NaCMC formulations have higher values followed by PT and NaAlg. It could be concluded that EB is a promising topical anti-inflammatory agent.