Phyto Cosmetic Formulation of Vetiver Root: A Comprehensive Study on Stability and Skin Compatibility of a Sustainable Herbal Cream

Lakshmi Tulasi D. D.; Naga Sravani C. H.; Kusuma J.; Chaitanya Sri Lahari O.; Swapnika V.; Raghava D.; Nageswara Rao K.

doi:10.5281/zenodo.19601476

Research Paper | Open Access
Volume 03 | Issue 04 | Article Id IJSRT/260403264

Phyto Cosmetic Formulation of Vetiver Root: A Comprehensive Study on Stability and Skin Compatibility of a Sustainable Herbal Cream
Lakshmi Tulasi D. D.* Naga Sravani C. H. Kusuma J. Chaitanya Sri Lahari O. Swapnika V. Raghava D. Nageswara Rao K.
KGRL College of Pharmacy, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background:Vetiveria zizanioides (Linn.) Nash, commonly known as Vetiver, is a botanical powerhouse in ethnopharmacology, prized for its cooling, antimicrobial, and skin-regenerative properties. Objective: This study aimed to design and evaluate a stable topical herbal emulgel utilizing a hydrodiffusion extract of Vetiver roots incorporated into a traditional washed-ghee (Shata Dhauta Ghrita) base. Methods: The formulation utilized an Oil-in-Water (O/W) emulsion system. Physicochemical characterization included pH, spreadability, homogeneity, and organoleptic evaluation. Stability was assessed through accelerated aging and microbial limit testing. Results: The formulated cream exhibited an aesthetically pleasing pale-yellow hue, a characteristic earthy aroma, and a skin-mimetic pH of 5.23. Microbial assays confirmed the absence of S. aureus and E. coli. Conclusion: The integration of traditional hydrodiffusion extraction with modern pharmaceutical parameters yielded a safe, stable, and cost-effective topical delivery system.

Keywords

Vetiveria zizanioides, Hydrodiffusion, Shata Dhauta Ghrita, khusimol, Physicochemical Stability, Phyto-cosmetics

Introduction

The global shift toward "Green Cosmeceuticals" has revitalized interest in medicinal plants. Vetiveria zizanioides (Family: Poaceae), an aromatic perennial grass, is central to Ayurvedic dermatology (Ushira). Its roots contain a complex array of over 150 sesquiterpenoid compounds, including Khusimol and Vetiselinenol, which provide potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways for skin repair. While many commercial creams use synthetic polymers, this study explores the synergy between Vetiver Hydrosol and Washed Ghee, a traditional lipid base known for its deep epidermal penetration.

2. PREPARATION METHODOLOGY

The formulation process was divided into three distinct phases to ensure the stability of the emulsion and the potency of the herbal actives.

Phase I: Hydrodiffusion Extraction

Vetiveria zizanioides roots were subjected to hydro diffusion to obtain a concentrated hydrosol. This method uses low-pressure steam to extract volatile components, preserving the heat-sensitive sesquiterpenoids. The distillate was filtered through a 0.45µm membrane to ensure a sterile aqueous phase.

Phase II: Preparation of Washed Ghee (Lipid Phase)

Based on the traditional Shata Dhauta Ghrita method, 100g of cow ghee was placed in a copper vessel. The vessel was set in an ice bath 4°Cto maintain a semi-solid consistency. The ghee was washed with purified water and stirred continuously to reduce lipid globule size and increase water-binding capacity.

Phase III: Cold-Process Emulsification

The Vetiver hydrosol was added drop-wise to the lipid base under constant mechanical agitation (hand-rotation). This mechanical energy, combined with the cooling effect, facilitated the formation of a stable Oil-in-Water (O/W) emulsion.

3. Results and Characterization

The formulation was subjected to a battery of tests to ensure pharmaceutical elegance and safety.

3.1 Physicochemical Profile

Parameter	Observation	Inference
Color	Pale Yellow	Characteristic of Vetiver extract
Odour	Earthy/Woody	Patient-compliant fragrance
pH	5.23	Compatible with the acid mantle of human skin
Spreadability	High	Ease of application without friction
Homogeneity	Uniform	Absence of phase separation or grittiness

3.2 Stability and Safety

Accelerated Stability: The formulation remained stable at 40°C/75% RH for the study duration, showing no liquefaction or "breaking" of the emulsion.
Microbial Limit Test: No colony-forming units (CFUs) were observed in agar plates after 48 hours of incubation, meeting USP <61> standards.
Dermal Irritancy: A primary skin irritation study (Human Patch Test) resulted in a score of 0.0, indicating the cream is non-irritant.

DISCUSSION

The success of this formulation lies in the pH of 5.23, which is nearly identical to the natural skin pH (~4.7–5.7). This ensures that the cream supports the skin's barrier function rather than disrupting it. The use of the hydrodiffusion method ensured that the sesquiterpenes (Khusimol and Isovalencenol) were preserved without thermal degradation. The "Washed Ghee" base acts as a natural permeation enhancer, allowing the bioactive Vetiver molecules to bypass the stratum corneum and reach the deeper dermal layers where inflammation typically resides.

CONCLUSION

The study successfully bridged traditional Ayurvedic preparation techniques with modern pharmaceutical evaluation. The resulting Vetiver cream is a stable, and microbiologically safe candidate for treating inflammatory skin conditions or for use as a daily protective skincare agent. Phyto-cosmetic formulation of Vetiver root demonstrates that herbal ingredients can be effectively utilized in the development of safe and sustainable skincare products. The formulated cream containing vetiver root extract exhibited good physicochemical stability, maintaining its consistency, pH, appearance, and spreadability under different storage conditions. Stability studies confirmed that the formulation remained stable without significant phase separation or degradation over the evaluation period. Furthermore, skin compatibility tests indicated that the herbal cream was non-irritating and well tolerated, suggesting its suitability for topical application. The presence of natural phytoconstituents in vetiver root contributes to beneficial properties such as soothing, moisturizing, and potential antimicrobial effects, enhancing the overall therapeutic and cosmetic value of the formulation.

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