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Sebumetric and mexametric evaluation of a fennel based cream

Akhtar Rasul^a,b,*, Naveed Akhtar^a, Muhammad Iqbal^b, Barkat Ali Khan^a, Asadullah Madni^a, Ghulam Murtaza^c, Muhammad Khurram Waqas^a, Tariq Mahmood^a

 
ABSTRACT:     This study aims to investigate the effects of a topical cream (emulsion) containing 4% extract of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) on functional skin parameters like sebum content, skin melanin, and skin erythaema, using the base without fennel as a control. Fennel extract was entrapped in the inner aqueous phase of emulsion. The creams were applied to 11 healthy male volunteers for a period of 12 weeks. Skin parameters were measured fortnightly using a Mexameter MPA 5 and a Sebumeter MPA 5 to determine the effects produced. The base showed insignificant (p>0.05) increase while the active formulation showed significant (p≤0.05) decrease in skin melanin and sebum content, which can be attributed to the presence of linoleic acid and oleic acids in fennel. Analysis using a paired sample t-test showed that the base decreased skin erythaema insignificantly while the formulation exerted a significant decrease indicating that it possessed anti-erythaemic effects. The formulation can therefore be used safely for the treatment of acne and as a skin whitening agent in males.

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* Corresponding author, E-mail: dr.akhtarstar@gmail.com

Received 24 Dec 2011, Accepted 1 May 2012