Transdermal Film-Forming Hydrogel Loaded with Nigella Sativa and Trigonella foenum-graecum Extracts for Enhanced Wound Healing

Topical wound treatment using conventional hydrogels is easily lost due to friction so that treatment is less effective, this can inhibit wound healing which causes chronic wounds. Convensional hydrogel containing a combination of N. sativa and T. foenum-graecum alcohol extracts at concentrations of 10% and 5% showed that the preparation was able to healing process of burns in diabetic rats better than single extracts. Compared to conventional preparations, topical Film Forming Hydrogel (FFH) preparation is capable of forming thin sheets some time after applications. A good FFH preparation has strong adhesion and can be adjusted to the shape of the wound so that it is expected to increase the effectiveness of wound healing, including wounds in patients with diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to formulate FFH preparation containing active ingredient combination of Nigella sativa L. and Trigonella foenum-graecum L. extract. The combination of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) was used as base, while 96% ethanol and a variation of propylene glycol (PG) content served as solvent and plasticizer, respectively. The experiment was carried out to obtain FFH preparation with desired physical, chemical, and mechanical characteristics, including pH, viscosity, swelling ratio, tensile strength, and elongation. Furthermore, homogeneity of the preparation was assessed through the analysis of Fourier Transform Infrared (FITR) Spectroscopy functional groups, and the stability of physicochemical characters was determined during a 30-day storage period. The results showed that all variations of PG levels of 10%, 16%, and 22% in the test formulations met the physicochemical, and mechanical requirements of FFH preparation. Only F1-Extract meets the minimum standard of 70% for the elongation parameter, and could release the drug gradually. The FFH formulation with active ingredients of N. sativa extract of 10%, T. foenum-graecum of 5%, PG content of 10% (F2-Extract), with a combination of PVA-CMCh at a ratio of 1:1 of 43% each, and 96% ethanol of 4% produced an optimal FFH preparation. Stability test results showed that F2-E and F3-E also had stable pH, viscosity, and swelling ratio at 30 days of storage.