Herbal Gel Preparation for the Treatment of Leprosy: A Comprehensive Review of Formulation

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae that primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucosal surfaces. Although multidrug therapy (MDT), as recommended by the World Health Organisation, remains the cornerstone of treatment, complications such as delayed wound healing, persistent inflammation, and neuropathic ulcers can occur. Herbal gels have emerged as promising adjunctive formulations due to their biocompatibility, safety profile, and multifunctional pharmacological properties. Medicinal plants such as Centella asiatica, Azadirachta indica (Neem), and Aloe vera possess documented anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, wound-healing, and immunomodulatory activities that may aid in the management of leprosy-associated skin lesions. Incorporation of these botanical extracts into gel-based systems offers advantages, including improved patient compliance, enhanced local drug delivery, and reduced systemic side effects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of herbal gel formulation strategies, selection of suitable gel bases, extraction techniques, and evaluation parameters. The findings suggest that herbal gel formulations represent a cost-effective and promising supportive approach for improving skin healing and overall therapeutic outcomes in leprosy management.