FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ANTIFUNGAL CREAM CONTAINING “CARICA PAPAYA LEAF EXTRACT” FOR THE TREATMENT OF ONYCHOMYCOSIS

Abstract

The current study focuses on formulation and evaluation of an antifungal cream derived from Carica papaya leaf extract for the treatment of onychomycosis, a prevalent fungal nail infection. In this study, alcoholic extraction was efficiently isolated the active components from Carica papaya leaves with key components such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and tannins which confirm the antifungal properties of the extract. The cream was prepared using an emulsifying base such as bees wax and cetosterol alcohol and evaluated for various parameters including pH, viscosity, spreadability, washability, and antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans through zone of inhibition. The results from the study indicated that formulation F3 demonstrated several desirable properties, both in terms of physical characteristics and therapeutic efficacy. The formulation offers a holistic, natural alternative to conventional antifungal treatments, with good physical properties, effective antifungal performance, and minimal side effects.