Development and Evaluation of a Shata-Dhauta-Ghrita Based Formulation Enriched with Curcumin, α-Bisabolol, and Honey for Wound Healing: An In Vitro Scratch Assay Study

Abstract

Shata-Dhauta-Ghrita (SDG), a traditional Ayurvedic formulation made by washing clarified butter 100 times in a copper vessel is known historically to have skin rejuvenating and wound healing properties. In this study a novel topical formulation containing the active ingredients curcumin, a-bisabolol, honey, and stabilizing excipients were developed and evaluated in terms of physicochemical properties and in vitro wound healing efficacy. The formulation showed favorable organoleptic characteristics, consistency (smooth), homogeneity (uniform), pH compatibility with the skin (6.24-6.35), spreadability and stability in centrifugation, indicating that it could be suitable for dermal administration. Wound healing activity was determined by using in vitro scratch assay for L929 fibroblast cell lines. Results showed that both test formulations significantly improved fibroblast migration and wound closure compared with the untreated control (2.49% closure). The optimized batch resulted in closure of 72.42% which was better than the basic formulation (61.59%) and slightly less than the standard (silver sulfadiazine, 87.53%). Enhanced efficacy of the optimized batch was attributed to the joint action of curcumin, alpha bisabolol and honey that exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and tissue regenerator effects. These results provide evidence for the potential of SDG-based formulations as promising wound healing agents that have less cytotoxicity concerns than conventional antiseptics. Furthermore, in vivo and clinical studies are warranted to determine safety, efficacy, and therapeutic applicability in wound management care.