Antiacne herbal formulations are used for the treatment of Acne vulgaris with the added advantage of not producing adverse effects unlike synthetic drugs. The present study has been designed with the objective for successive solvent extraction of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees (aerial parts), Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (roots), Carica papaya L.(seeds) and Cucurbita pepo L. (seeds), followed by development and evaluation of topical herbal gel formulation for antiacne and wound healing activity.In vitro antiacne activity was performed against Staphylococcus epidermis and Staphylococcus aureus, a causative organism for A. vulgaris, using agar well diffusion method. Three herbal gel formulations were developed comprising 2.5%, 5.0% and 10% of herbal mixture containing methanolic extracts of A. paniculata, G. glabra, C. papaya and C. pepo using Carbopol 934 as gel base. Formulations were evaluated for pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability, stability and acute skin irritancy test. Evaluation of wound healing potential was evaluated by excision wound model in wistar albino rats.Methanolic extracts exhibited highest zone of inhibition against S. epidermis and S. aureus than other solvent extracts. Antiacne potential of combined extracts was more than that of individual extracts (19.0±0.089). Developed gel formulations had good stability as per ICH guidelines. Formulations did not produce any skin irritation when observed for about 48 h on animal skin. Significant wound healing activity was observed in combined extracts and developed formulations as compared to standard and control group. The results were statistically significant. Hence, the study was successful in terms of establishing scientific data with regard to safety and effectiveness of selected herbal extracts in promoting antiacne activity in the form of a convenient, stable dosage form formulated using standardized extracts.

Our surrounding is filled up with a large number of toxicants in different forms and different composition. These toxicants mat contaminate our water, land and atmosphere where we live. Heavy metal pollution in the environment is a significant issue and problem and has its negative impact on the whole living system including in the agriculture fields. But the heavy metals are also the natural constituents of the environment, but indiscriminate use for human purposes has altered their geochemical cycles and biochemical balance. The more and more quantity of heavy metals may results in toxification in natural resources like the soil and aquatic environments. In this context, the present paper reviews about the quantity of heavy metals accumulated in vegetables and amount of heavymetals present in soil of agricultural fields of selected taluks of Mysuru district.Vegetable samples were collected and samples were classified as fruits, green vegetables, leafy vegetables and general (tubers, bulbs, bean and rice), according to CEAGESP. In each group, only the most commonly traded vegetables in 2008 were collected, comprising 223 samples of 83 plant species. Samples were identified and packed into polyethylene bags. In the laboratory, they were washed following the same procedures as for food preparation to remove any surface deposits (Chary et al., 2008). Then, the vegetables were rewashed with deionized water and separated into edible and non-edible parts. The edible parts were airdried at 65ºC, weighed and finely ground in a Willey mill.Acid digestion and metals determination of samples Tri-acid mixture (15 ml, 70% high purity HNO3, 65% HClO4 and 70% H2SO4; 5:1:1) was added to the beaker containing 1 g dry vegetable sample (Allen et al., 1986). The mixture was then digested at 80 _C till the transparent solution was achieved. After cooling, the digested samples were filtered using What man No. 42 filter paper and the filtrate was diluted to 50 ml with deionised water and were determined by atomic absorption spectro photometry (Varian-SpectrAA 140).