FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIFUNGAL CREAM WITH GUAVA LEAVES AND POMEGRANATE PEEL

Yogita Shivaji Warghade*, Ganesh Jayram Lamkhade, Vaishnavi Arun Narawade, Harshada Suresh Shinde

ABSTRACT

Fungal infections are among the most common skin disorders affecting millions of people worldwide. The increasing resistance and side effects associated with synthetic antifungal drugs have led to the exploration of herbal alternatives. The present study focuses on the formulation and evaluation of a polyherbal antifungal cream containing guava leaves (Psidium guajava) and pomegranate peel (Punica granatum) extracts. Both plants possess significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties due to the presence of flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenolic compounds. The extracts were prepared using hydroalcoholic solvent extraction and incorporated into an oil-in-water cream base. The formulated creams were evaluated for physical appearance, pH, spreadability, washability, viscosity, homogeneity, stability, skin irritation, and antifungal activity against fungal strains using the agar well diffusion method. The optimized formulation showed good consistency, acceptable pH, excellent spreadability, and significant antifungal activity. The study concludes that the polyherbal antifungal cream may serve as an effective and safer alternative to synthetic topical antifungal formulations.

Keywords: Polyherbal cream, Antifungal activity, Guava leaves, Pomegranate peel, Herbal formulation, Topical cream, Psidium guajava, Punica granatum.