Formulation and in vitro evaluation of Cream containing Diclofenac Sodium and Curcuma Longa for the management of Rheumatoid Arthritis

steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most frequently prescribed drug groups. These drugs are used dermal or systemically in treatment of various rheumatic diseases, including Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as well as for Osteoarthritis, low back pain and some joint diseases. Diclofenac sodium is a well tolerated NSAID because of its limited numbers of adverse effects and topical formulation has excellent permeation and absorption into the skin and is frequently prescribed for the long term treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Ankylosing spondylitis. The present investigation was to develop novel cream formulation containing Diclofenac sodium in combination with most effective and potent natural anti-inflammatory agent curcuma longa, which is reported to possess strong anti-inflammatory effects in Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis, according to the study by University of Arizona researchers. Diclofenac sodium in combination with Curcuma longa is a good rational, where curcuma longa produces synergistic anti-inflammatory effects with Diclofenac sodium. Formulation containing fixed concentrations (1%) of Diclofenac sodium with curcuma longa was prepared. To access the efficacy of formulation different in-vitro tests including stability studies, tube extrude ability, spread ability, pH, skin irritation test, viscosity and rheological properties, drug diffusion study and anti- inflammatory studies were carried out. The results obtained were encouraging and formulation containing Diclofenac sodium (1%) with curcuma longa was found better than alone Diclofenac sodium cream formulation.