*Corresponding author,
e-mail : patihul.husni@unpad.ac.id (P. Husni)
https://doi.org/10.24198/idjp.v1i3.23715
© 2019 Husni et al
Vol 1, Issue 3, 2019 (79-83)
http://journal.unpad.ac.id/idjp
Formulation and Physical Evaluation of Cream containing Neem Oil 5%
Patihul Husni
1,2*
, Anggia D. Amalia
1
, Soraya R. Mita
1
, Norisca A. Putriana
1
, Melinda Januarti
3
1. Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas
Padjadjaran, Jatinangor 45363, Indonesia
2. Major of Industrial and Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, 84
Heukseuk-ro, Dongjak-gu, 06974, Seoul, South Korea
3. Klinik Padjadjaran, Jatinangor 45363, Indonesia
Received: 22 Sep 2019/ Revised: 23 Sep 2019/ Accepted: 24 Sep 2019/ Published: 1 Oct 2019
ABSTRACT
Permethrin Cream 5%, a topical scabicidal agent, is usually used for the treatment of infestation with
Sarcoptes scabiei (scabies). Nowadays, neem oil, a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of
the neem (Azadirachta indica A.Juss), is reported having an antiscabies eect. The aim of the study
was to formulate and evaluate the physical properties of cream containing neem oil 5%. Methods of
the study were characterization of physicochemical properties of neem oil, preparation and physical
stability study at room temperature (25
o
C) and 40
o
C for three months storage of the neem oil 5%
cream. Physical evaluation involved organoleptic, homogeneity, pH, tipe of cream and viscosity.
The study results showed that all of the physicochemical properties of neem oil met the requirement.
The cream were white to yellowish white, characteristic neem oil odor, homogenous cream, pH ± 8,
viscosity approximately 2000-8000 cps and o/w cream. Three months storage of the cream showed that
the formula resulted a stable cream physically.
Keywords: neem oil, permethrin, scabies, Azadirachta indica A.Juss
1. Introduction
Scabies, one of the infectious skin diseases,
can infect more than 130 million people every
year globally [1]. Scabies is caused by infection
of the female mite Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis.
The mites live and deposit eggs into the skin. The
symptoms of scabies are due to an allergic reaction
to the mites [2].
The highest incidence rate of scabies occurs in
tropical countries, high population and low socio-
economic condition [1-5]. Scabies is the 3
rd
of 12
common skin diseases in Indonesia [6,7]. Scabies
can occur in both men and women, in all age groups,
races and social classes. The mite caused scabies can
travel from the infected person to another person
and can be transmitted through direct or indirect
physical contact with the patient [8]. The mite can
survive for about 2 to 3 days at room temperature
and average humidity [2].
First line therapy of scabies is 5% permethrin
topical cream [9] but the price of the permethrin
cream is quite expensive. This is a problem of
scabies treatment for the patient with low economy.
Anti-scabies cream containing neem oil is an
approach to solve the problem.
Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the
fruits and seeds of the neem (Azadirachta indica
A.Juss). Neem oil had been used as anti-parasite
and anti-scabies [10-12]. Previous research
reported that the use of paste containing mixture of
neem oil and turmeric in scabies patients showed
a 97% improvement in 814 patients after 3 to 15
days of therapy [13]. The eectiveness of neem
oil for anti-scabies had also been tested using
clinical trial before and after the use of cream and
showed clinical cure [14]. Scabies can be treated
systemically or topically. The systemic treatment is
only indicated for the treatment of severe scabies.