Formulation and Evaluation of a Topical Gel Containing Hedera helix L. Leaf Extract: Phytochemical and Antioxidant Assessment

Abstract

Harnessing the phytotherapeutic potential of Hedera helix L. (common ivy) represents a growing area of interest within pharmaceutical and cosmetic sciences. This study was undertaken to develop and evaluate a carbomer-based gel formulation incorporating Hederae helicis folium extract. Leaf extracts were obtained by ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) using methanol and 96% ethanol as solvents. The extraction efficiency was solvent-dependent, with the methanolic extract yielding 16.4% and the ethanolic extract 13.4%. Antioxidant evaluation via the DPPH assay revealed superior free radical scavenging activity for the methanolic extract (IC50= 127.738 µg/mL) compared to the ethanolic one (IC50 = 157.849 µg/mL). Qualitative phytochemical screening (Foam test and Liebermann–Burchard’s test) confirmed the presence of triterpenoid saponins, more pronounced in the methanolic extract. Despite its higher extraction efficacy, methanol was excluded from the formulation due to toxicity concerns. The final gel formulation containing ethanolic extract exhibited favorable organoleptic characteristics and remained stable, maintaining a pH of 4.3–4.9 within the physiological skin range. These findings highlight Hedera helix as a promising source of bioactive compounds suitable for safe incorporation into topical antioxidant and dermoprotective preparations.