~ 1318 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2017; 6(4): 1318-1320 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2017; 6(4): 1318-1320 Received: 06-05-2017 Accepted: 07-06-2017 Dr. Mangesh R Bhalekar Department of Pharmaceutics, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India Shweta Padher Department of Pharmaceutics, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India Dr. Ashwini Department of Pharmaceutics, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India R Madgulkar Department of Pharmaceutics, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India Correspondence Dr. Mangesh R Bhalekar Department of Pharmaceutics, AISSMS College of Pharmacy, Pune, Maharashtra, India Evaluation of aqueous extract of Soapnut as surfactant in cosmetics Dr. Mangesh R Bhalekar, Shweta Padher, Dr. Ashwini and R Madgulkar Abstract The fruits of Sapindus mukorossi (Family-Sapindaceae) also called as soapnuts, contain Saponins about 6-10 % by weight. Soapnut has been traditionally used for cleansing purposes and owes detergent action due to its saponin content. Use of synthetic surface active agents like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) has been found to show adverse actions on the skin like irritation and inflammation. Soapnut extracts is traditionally used in household remedies and is documented to have beneficial effects on skin. Hence the objective of the work was to formulate a cream replacing SLS by soapnut extract. The present work deals with use of dried aqueous extract of S. mukorossi to formulate an o/w cream. The creams are formulated using SLS as an emulsifier and by replacing SLS with aqueous extract of soapnut. The formulations prepared with soapnut exhibited good texture and spread ability vis a vis SLS cream. The properties like pH and particle size were better or comparable over SLS containing cream. Hence it can be concluded that the soapnut extract can be used as emulsifier in creams which is biocompatible and has beneficial effects on skin. Keywords: Sapindus, emulsifying agent, cream Introduction Synthetic surfactants such as sodium lauryl sulphate which are widely used in cosmetics are associated with several adverse effects [1] owing to this, use of natural and biocompatible surfactants in cosmetic formulation is being explored [2] . These include sugar-based non- ethoxylated emulsifiers (Sugar esters such as sucrose palmitate, sucrose distearate) with a very wide HLB range so they can work in both phases and are considered natural [3] . Acacia gum is a multifunctional natural emulsifier and stabilizer. Other examples of natural emulsifiers are carrageenan, alginates, lecithin (a phospholipid) and lanolin from the wool grease of sheep. Many natural surfactants recently developed include Coco-Glucoside (APG), sodium coco- sulphate (SCS) cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) [4] . Sophorolipids, rhamnolipids and mannosyl erythritol lipids are glycolipids which are used as biosurfactant in cosmetics [5] . Sapindus mukorossi (family: Sapindaceae), commonly known as soapnuts is a popular ingredient in Ayurvedic shampoos and cleansers, it is used in Ayurvedic medicine for treatment of eczema, psoriasis, and for removing tan, oily (whitening effects) secretions and freckles from the skin and is Hypo-allergenic [6] . It finds therapeutic use as an expectorant, emetic, contraceptive, and for treatment of excessive salivation [7] . Recently many of the pharmacological actions of this plant has been explored which includes the antimicrobial activity, use in neurodermatits, hepatoprotective, insecticidal & piscidal activity [8]. One of the important ingredient of soapnut is saponins which include triterpenoidal saponins, and triterpen saponin hederagenin [9] . When they come in contact with water, they provide surface activity and form soap-like foaming solutions. These saponins provide the functionality of surfactants, the ability to wet, emulsify, solubilize foam, disperse, clean, and condition. Creams are semisolid preparations in either a w/o or an o/w emulsions, o/w cosmetic creams are formulated for their washability. Many saponins are added to formulations as both an emulsifier and as a foaming agent. [10] The aim of present work is to determine the utility of the dried aqueous extract of S. mukorossi as emulsifier for skin creams which will not only provide biocompatible skin friendly cosmetic preparations but also reduce the environmental pollution because of its biodegradable nature. Materials and Methods Preparation of soapnut extract: Weighed quantity of fruit of Soapnut (100 g) was dried in oven at 60 ⁰C for 1h, if in case it was moist. The seeds were separated from the fruit and ground in