Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a stable cream from a local desert plant capable of producing Antisebum effects. Two creams (emulsions) were prepared, both of which were of w/o type. One was the formulation in which 5% extract obtained from the plant Capparis decidua was added during the preparation of the cream and the other was the base or control in which the extract was not added while other ingredients were the same as that of the formulation. Thirteen healthy male volunteers were selected and their initial sebum readings of both the cheeks were noted with the help of Sebumeter. The volunteers were given both the creams and asked to apply the creams on the face daily two times, the base on the right side and the formulation on the left side. The readings were taken every fifteen days for a period of three months. At the end of the study period, it was found that the formulation significantly decreased the sebum values on the left side. On the other hand, an increase in the sebum values was observed on the right side where the base was applied, although the increase was not significant statistically. The results showed that the cream prepared from the local desert plant C. decidua had the ability to produce Antisebum effects in the human volunteers.

Key words: Antisebum, extract, Capparis decidua, Sebumeter, Sebum.