Formulation and Evaluation of Fumaria parviflora Loaded Oil in Water Emulsion-Based Cream

Background: Fumaria parviflora (FP) is a medicinal herb that is used in several traditional medicines to treat diseases like folliculitis, erysipelas. Fumaria parviflora Lam. belonging to the family Papaveraceae is used widely in traditional and folkloric medicine. It is known as 'Pittapapra'in Ayurveda, and 'Shahtaraa'in Unani is used to treat various ailments like indigestion, vomiting, fever, and fatigue. It is showing properties like anthelminthic, diuretic, diaphoretic, and blood -purifying properties. The present study is done to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the extract. Materials and Methods: The plant extract was isolated by using a Soxhlet apparatus by using ethanol as the solvent. The extract was filtered using filter paper and heated in the oven to obtain the plant extract concentrate. The o/w emulsion -based cream was evaluated for pH, viscosity, thermal stability, spreadability, antibacterial ( S. aureus and E. coli ) and antifungal ( C. albicans and A. niger ) activity. Results: The o/w emulsion -based cream formulations were found to be stable, found to have pH compatible to human skin, no skin irritancy and also have good spreadability properties, and found to be effective against bacterial cells but no considerable effect on fungal cells. Conclusion: The o/w emulsion -based cream formulations were examined for both antibacterial and antifungal activities but from the results we concluded that Fumaria parviflor a Lam. is found to be effective against bacterial cells and useful in treating bacterial skin infections.