Abstract:
Background: ‘Ratha Taila’ is an effective traditional herbal preparation, mainly used topically for
skin diseases of children. The ingredients of ‘Ratha Taila’ include Ixora coccinea, Croton
aromaticus, Gossipium herbaceum, Cocus nusifera, and oil of Sesamum indicum.
Objectives: To formulate a topical dosage form (emulgel) as a modified ayurvedic formulation of
‘Ratha Taila’ and evaluate its in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity
Methods: Aqueous extracts of I. coccinea, C. aromaticus, G. herbaceum and C. nusifera were
prepared using the traditional decoction method. Oil of S. indicum was obtained from a local
manufacturer. ‘Ratha Taila’ was prepared according to the method mentioned in the Ayurvedic
Pharmacopoeia of Sri Lanka. The anti-inflammatory activity of ‘Ratha Taila’ and its ingredients
were evaluated using an egg albumin denaturation assay. Diclofenac sodium was used as the
reference drug. An emulgel was prepared using plant extracts, carbopol 940 and Tween 20. Anti
inflammatory activity of the prepared emulgel was compared against the commercially available
diclofenac sodium gel. Stability tests (visual observation, centrifuge test, freeze-thaw test,
spreadability test, and pH test) were conducted for 45 days. One-way ANOVA test was performed
using SPSS version 25.0.
Results: ‘Ratha Taila’ and its ingredients demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in
vitro (p<0.05), except C. nucifera. Diclofenac sodium demonstrated an inhibitory concentration 50
(IC50) value of 538.3 µ/mL, while ‘Ratha Taila’ exhibited a IC50 value of 571.6 µ/mL. Individual
ingredients, I. coccinea, G. herbaceum, C. aromaticus, and sesame oil, had IC50 values of 682.7,
727.4, 648.2, and 910.2 µ/mL, respectively. Accordingly, ‘Ratha Taila’ has demonstrated a higher
potency for anti-inflammatory activity in-vitro than the individual ingredients. Commercially
available diclofenac sodium gel and the prepared emulgel have exhibited IC50 values of 422.6
µ/mL, and 511.6 µ/mL.
Conclusions: Similar to the Ayurvedic formulation of ‘Ratha Taila’, formulated emulgel with
same ingredients has a potency for anti-inflammatory activity.
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Croton Aromaticus, Egg albumin denatoration assay, Ixora
ccoccinea, Ratha Taila
