ABSTRACT:
Traditional herbal topical preparations such as Bajrang Lep have been widely used for the management of pain, inflammation, swelling, and musculoskeletal discomfort. However, conventional lep formulations often suffer from limitations such as poor spreadability, drying after application, staining of skin and clothes, variable dosing, and low patient acceptability. The present study was aimed at transforming the traditional Bajrang Lep concept into a modern polyherbal hydrogel dosage form using selected herbal ingredients, namely Amba Halad, Ashwagandha, and Arjun Sal, while excluding Geru to improve formulation elegance and usability. Hydroalcoholic extracts of the selected herbs were prepared and incorporated into a Carbopol 940 based hydrogel system using suitable excipients. Multiple formulations were developed and evaluated for physicochemical parameters including appearance, pH, homogeneity, spreadability, extrudability, washability, swelling index, and skin irritation potential. All prepared formulations showed satisfactory physical characteristics with smooth texture, uniform consistency, acceptable pH range, easy washability, and absence of skin irritation. Optimized batches demonstrated good spreadability, excellent extrudability, and desirable swelling behavior, indicating suitability for topical application. The hydrogel formulation offered improved convenience, better cosmetic acceptability, and enhanced patient compliance compared with traditional lep preparations. The findings suggest that the traditional Bajrang Lep concept can be successfully modernized into a stable and effective hydrogel dosage form. This novel polyherbal hydrogel may serve as a promising natural topical alternative for the management of localized inflammation and swelling. Further pharmacological and clinical studies are recommended to establish therapeutic efficacy. (1-5).