TO FORMULATE AND EVALUATE A TOPICAL EMULGEL CONTAINING NYCTANTHES ARBOR-TRISTIS (HARSINGAR) EXTRACT AND β-SITOSTEROL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF GOUT-ASSOCIATED INFLAMMATION

Shadab Mobeen, Dr. Bandana Singh*, Dr. Karuna Shanker Shukla, Shalini Singh

Gout is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent acute flares resulting from monosodium urate crystal deposition, activation of innate immune pathways, and excessive oxidative stress within affected joints. Although conventional pharmacological therapies such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine, and urate-lowering agents remain the mainstay of treatment, their long-term clinical use is frequently limited by systemic adverse effects, poor patient adherence, and safety concerns, particularly in elderly patients with comorbidities. In this context, plant-based therapeutics combined with advanced topical drug delivery systems offer a promising alternative strategy for localized and safer management of gouty inflammation. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Harsingar), a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, possesses well-documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and immunomodulatory properties attributable to its rich content of iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. This review critically examines the pathophysiology of gout and systematically correlates it with the pharmacological activities of Harsingar, emphasizing its ability to modulate key inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress pathways, and immune cell activation involved in gout progression. Furthermore, the potential of emulgel-based topical delivery systems for improving the stability, skin permeation, and localized bioavailability of Harsingar phytoconstituents is discussed in detail. By integrating ethnopharmacological evidence, mechanistic insights, and formulation strategies, this review highlights Harsingar-based emulgels as a novel, multi-targeted, and patient-friendly therapeutic approach for gout management, while also identifying current research gaps and future directions for clinical translation.