Patašiūtė, Emilija

Background: Rose hydrolat has an anti – inflammatory effect on the skin and sesame oil is known for its moisturizing, nourishing properties for dry skin. Bigel is a semisolid pharmaceutical form, consisted of oily and aqueous phase, which provides the hydration of the stratum corneum, cooling, non – sticky feeling on the skin, etc. [1, 2]. Rose hydrolat and sesame oil enables bigel to be used for dry, irritated skin. Aim: To make a bigel with rose hydrolat and sesame oil and evaluate its quality. Methods: APIs – rose hydrolat, sesame oil; plasticizer – glycerol; gelling agents – hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), Carbopol Ultrez 21, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan monopalmitate; antioxidant – vitamin E; preservative – phenoxyethanol. 12 bigel samples were made. The main differences between the samples were the ratio of hydrogel and organogel (9:1; 8:2; 7:3) and different gelling agents. Hydrogels were made using Carbopol Ultrez 21 and HEC, in organogels were used sorbitan monostearate and sorbitan monopalmitate. The stability, pH, viscosity and textural properties of the samples were studied. Results: Bigels with the ratio of 7:3 had a higher viscosity compared to bigels with a ratio of 9:1 and 8:2. The pH values of all the samples were within the limits suitable for use on the skin (4.1-7.4), but the bigels with Carbopol Ultrez 21 had a lower pH value compared to HEC bigels. Centrifugation and freeze – thaw cycling tests showed that bigels with Carbopol Ultrez 21 and sorbitan monopalmitate (ratio 7:3) also bigels with Carbopol Ultrez 21 and sorbitan monostearate (ratios 8:2 and 7:3) were unstable. The most optimal texture properties were exhibited by bigels with HEC and sorbitan monostearate in ratios of 9:1, 8:2 and 7:3. Conclusion: Bigels with HEC and sorbitan monostearate showed the highest stability, the best textural properties (i.e. hardness, consistency, stickiness and viscosity index) and pH values.