Formulation and Stability Testing of an Antifungal Cream from Lemongrass Essential Oil for Dermatophytosis Management

Dermatophytosis, including ringworm and tinea infections, is a prevalent dermatological condition across Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban areas and among schoolchildren. The essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) has documented antifungal activity against dermatophytes in laboratory studies. This study formulated and evaluated a topical cream containing 3% lemongrass essential oil obtained from Nassarawa State, North Central Nigeria, as an antifungal preparation. The cream was prepared using an oil-in-water emulsion base with standard emulsifying agents. Physicochemical evaluation included pH, viscosity, spreadability, homogeneity, and drug content uniformity. Antifungal activity was assessed against Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis using the agar diffusion method, and results were compared with a commercially available 1% clotrimazole cream. Accelerated stability studies were conducted at 40 degrees Celsius and 75% relative humidity over three months according to ICH guidelines. The formulated cream demonstrated acceptable physicochemical properties with pH between 5.8 and 6.2. Antifungal zones of inhibition were comparable to the clotrimazole reference. Stability studies showed no significant changes in appearance, pH, or antifungal activity over the three-month period. These findings support the feasibility of incorporating lemongrass essential oil into a stable topical antifungal formulation for dermatophyte infections. Keywords: lemongrass essential oil, antifungal cream, dermatophytosis, stability testing, formulation.