Formulation and characterization of a cream containing extract of fenugreek seeds

Fenugreek seeds possess antioxidant effects and contain a mucilage which has emollient properties. It can also produce skin healing, whitening, moisturizing, skin soothening and antiwrinkle effects. The purpose of study was to formulate a stable W/O emulsion containing fenugreek seeds extract using liquid paraffin oil. Fenugreek seeds extract, which was obtained by concentrating methanolic extract of fenugreek seeds, was entrapped in the inner aqueous phase of W/O emulsion. A base containing no active material and a formulation containing concentrated extract of fenugreek (in a concentration of 4%) in the internal aqueous phase (W/O emulsion) were prepared and stored at different accelerated conditions for a period of four weeks to predict the stability of these creams. It was found that both, the base and the formulation, were stable at all the accelerated conditions regarding color, liquifaction and phase separation. However, insignificant changes in the pH of base and significant changes in the pH of the formulation were observed with the passage of time. Both the base and the formulation were applied to the cheeks of human volunteers for six weeks and various parameters of the skin were evaluated every week to measure any effect produced by these creams. All the effects of base were statistically significant except the sebum contents and pH, which changed but insignificantly. A significant decrease on skin melanin and erythma was produced by the formulation. An insignificant decrease in TEWL was observed for the formulation.