The Situation Analysis of Elbow Smoothing Creams and Development of Elbow Smoothing Cream with Extract from Cinnamomum verum J. Presl. for Thai Traditional Medicine Students at Kanchanabhishek Institute of Medical and Public Health Technology, Nonthaburi

Abstract

This research aimed to perform a situation analysis of elbow smoothing creams and develop an elbow smoothing cream with extract from Cinnamomum verum J. Presl. for Thai traditional medicine (TTM) students at Kanchanabhishek Institute of Medical and Public Health Technology in Nonthaburi province. The study involved the extractions of C. verum with 95% ethanol and water; and the extracts were then analyzed for antioxidant activities using nitric oxide method. The highest activity extract was selected to make the cream. The results showed that the C. verum extract with 95% ethanol yielded the highest antioxidant activity with the IC₅₀ of 20.60 ± 7.99 µg/ml. The researchers held a focus group discussion with TTM students about the elbow smoothing creams, developed cream formulas with different extract concentrations, and assessed their physical stability to select the best formula. We found that, according to the focus group, the participants preferred the cream in tubes with a reliable label, non-sticky and moisturizing quality, and mild fragrance; and the cream should be well-absorbed through the skin, dry up easily, and importantly reduce skin darkness and roughness under the elbow. Regarding product development, the cream produced had smooth creamy texture, light brownish color and cinnamon fragrance, no rancid smell, good flow property, no microbial or fungal growth, and no creaming and cracking at pH 5-6. Among 38 volunteers who tried out the cream, their overall satisfaction level was high (4.34) as it was portable, easy to use, non-irritating, non-sticky, well absorbed through the skin, protective against dryness, and moisturizing. So this study has provided basic information for further development of other cosmeceutical products.