Formulation and evaluation of anti acne gel containing citrus aurantifolia fruit juice using carbopol as gelling agent

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to design a product of anti-acne gel containing Citrus aurantifolia fruit juice as an effective antibacterial to treat acne caused by Propionibacterium acne and Staphylococcus epidermidis using carbopol as a gelling agent. Methods: The fresh juice of C. aurantifolia fruit was obtained by juicer and pasteurized for 30 min at 65-70 °C. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the fruit juice was determined using the microdilution method. Then, carbopol in different concentration was incorporated in a gel base formula to obtain a stable gel base. The fresh juice in different formulas (F1, F2 and F3) was evaluated for 28 d. The color, pH and viscosity of each formula were observed. In addition, the antibacterial potency of each formula was analyzed using the agar diffusion method against both tested bacteria. Results: The citrus MIC values of both test bacteria showed different results, 20-40 % v/v for P. acne and 5-10 % v/v for S. epidermidis. The MIC values were converted into in vivo concentration and the resulted concentrations for each formula were 25, 50 and 75 % v/v. For supporting the formula, the most stable base gel was achieved using carbopol 1 % as the gelling agent. Among three formulas, the anti-acne gel formula containing 75 % fruit juice with carbopol 1% was the best formula based on the physical and microbiological parameter. Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that the antiacne gel of fruit juice of C. aurantifolia with carbopol as a gelling agent could produce the effective and stable gel of anti-acne product.