Carbon Based Kajal Formulations: Antimicrobial Activity and Feasibility as a Semisolid Base for Ophthalmics

Study aimed to prepare and evaluate carbon based kajal formulation and carry out its comparative evaluation with the marketed formulations of kajal.

Initially, carbon soot was deposited on Aloe vera mucilage spreaded on a copper plate, in specifically designed apparatus. Subsequently, sun dried plate was allowed to expose to the flame of cow ghee for 1 hr. Soot which was deposited on the copper plate was scrapped and Characterization of Soot by SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD and EDX was carried out and kajal was prepared by adding few drops of cow ghee to it. The kajal was compared with the five marketed kajal formulations available in India, on the basis of physical characteristics their antibacterial potential was also assessed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

All the formulations exhibited almost similar physical characteristics. The prepared kajal showed pH (7.06±0.13). The antimicrobial activity of the marketed formulations was comparatively less than that of freshly prepared exhibiting zone of inhibition 13.05±0.11, 20.08± 0.13 and 22.06±0.18 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli respectively. EDX spectra, revealed that the cow ghee soot have the weight percentage of carbon and copper as 79.20 and 17.10% respectively and Confirmed the absence of Lead (Pb). The eye irritation test (OECD 405) also showed no any irritation, redness, watering of the eye or swelling was not observed for prepared formulation in test animal. Prepared Kajal can be safely used for beatification and also in the treatment of eye diseases especially in pediatrics.