Open Access Research
Development and evaluation of a nasal In Situ gel containing ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn. for potential asthma therapy
Mullaicharam Bhupathyraaj1
, Zinah Kadhim Saeed2, K. Reeta Vijayarani3, S. Anbazhagan3,
M. Keerthiga3, J. Oceya3,*, Souad AlOkla4
1Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, National University of Science and Technology, Muscat, Oman
2College of Pharmacy, Al-Bayan University, Baghdad, Iraq
3Department of Pharmaceutics, Surya School of Pharmacy, Vikravandi, Villupuram – 605 652. Tamil Nadu, India
4College of Medicine and Health Sciences. National University of Science and Technology, Oman
J. Oceya, Surya School of Pharmacy, Vikravandi, Villupuram – 605 652. Tamil Nadu, India; e-mail: oceyajmd@gmail.com
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Published: 2026 ; https://doi.org/10.61873/
Abstract
Background: Nasal in situ gels offer a promising strategy for prolonged nasal residence and sustained drug delivery. Euphorbia hirta Linn. contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds with reported pharmacological activities relevant to respiratory disorders. Aim: To develop and evaluate a nasal in situ gel containing ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn. (EE-EH) as a potential formulation for future asthma-related applications. Methodology: EE-EH was prepared by Soxhlet extraction and characterized by phytochemical screening, UV spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR, and HPTLC. Six nasal in situ gel formulations were prepared using Carbopol 940 and HPMC. Formulations were evaluated for pH, drug content, viscosity, gelation, mucoadhesion, in vitro diffusion, diffusion kinetics, and stability. Data were expressed as mean ± SD (n=3) and analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (p<0.05). Results: EE-EH yielded 15.65% (w/w). Quercetin showed λmax at 370 nm with excellent linearity (R²=0.9975). Significant differences among formulations were observed for viscosity, drug content and cumulative drug diffusion (p<0.05), while pH remained comparable (p>0.05). EE-EH-NISG5 exhibited suitable gelation, pH (6.40 ± 0.01), drug content (98.98 ± 1.01%), viscosity (1655 ± 5 cps), mucoadhesive strength (9408 dynes/cm²), and sustained drug diffusion (79.13 ± 0.86% over 4 h). Drug release best fitted the Korsmeyer–Peppas model (R²=0.9819), suggesting non-Fickian diffusion. The formulation remained stable for three months under ICH storage conditions. Conclusion: EE-EH-NISG5 demonstrated acceptable physicochemical characteristics, sustained drug release, and good stability, indicating its potential as a nasal delivery system for further preclinical investigations in asthma management.
Keywords: Asthma, Diffusion, Euphorbia hirta, Mucoadhesion, Nasal in situ gel
Please cite as:
Bhupathyraaj M., Saeed Z. K., Vijayarani K. R., Anbazhagan S, Keerthiga M., Oceya J., AlOkla S.: Development and evaluation of a nasal In Situ gel containing ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn. for potential asthma therapy. Epitheorese Klin. Farmakol. Farmakokinet. xx(xx): xx-xx (2026). DOI: 10.61873/XXXXXXX
pISSN 1011-6575 • eISSN 2945-1914