Semisolid dosage forms, including creams, gels, ointments, hydrogels, and emulgels, are widely used for topical drug delivery. Green solvent- and natural excipient-based systems have gained attention for their potential biocompatibility and reduced environmental burden, but their stability advantages over conventional formulations remain unclear. This systematic review with narrative synthesis evaluated 36 eligible studies from 1,000 records. Due to the methodological and clinical heterogeneity of the included studies, a narrative synthesis was conducted in place of quantitative pooling. Among 20 studies reporting direct comparative efficacy, 11 showed superior results for green or natural formulations, 7 reported equivalence, and 2 had mixed findings. Safety outcomes were generally comparable or more favorable for green formulations, with no serious adverse events linked to these systems. However, stability evidence was limited: only 9 studies reported stability-related parameters, and long-term or accelerated data were largely absent. While green solvent- and natural excipient-based semisolid formulations demonstrate promising efficacy and tolerability, current evidence does not establish that they are inherently more stable than conventional systems, and their translational readiness remains constrained by insufficient demonstration of reproducible formulation quality over time.

Banana-derived excipients have garnered increasing attention due to their potential as natural, sustainable alternatives in pharmaceutical formulations. This study systematically reviewed the effectiveness and compatibility of banana-based excipients compared to conventional synthetic and natural counterparts. A comprehensive literature review was conducted following the PICOS framework, covering studies published between 2013 and 2024. Data extraction focused on physicochemical characterization, functional performance, and drug release properties of banana-derived excipients across various dosage forms. The results indicate that banana starch and crude banana powder exhibit promising binding, disintegrant, and mucoadhesive properties. Their performance in pharmaceutical formulations was comparable to widely used excipients such as maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and microcrystalline cellulose. Notably, banana-derived excipients demonstrated sustained-release effects and potential bioavailability enhancement. However, a lack of standardization in processing methods and limited stability data highlight the need for further research to ensure reproducibility and regulatory compliance. Despite their advantages, challenges remain in optimizing formulations and understanding long-term interactions with drug compounds. Future studies should focus on in vivo validation and stability assessments to enhance the adoption of banana-based excipients in pharmaceutical applications. This research contributes to the growing field of sustainable pharmaceutical development by advocating for the integration of environmentally friendly excipients into modern drug formulations.

Topical delivery of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) extract is a promising approach for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapy, yet the performance of the dosage form depends strongly on the composition of the formulation base. This study aimed to optimize a two-component vaseline–lanolin ointment base for M. charantia extract using a simplex lattice mixture design. Five blends spanning the binary mixture space were prepared and characterized for viscosity, spreadability, adhesiveness, and pH. Polynomial mixture models were fitted to each response, model adequacy was assessed by analysis of variance and lack-of-fit testing, and a multi-response Derringer desirability function was applied to locate a compromise optimum, which was then verified experimentally. Increasing the lanolin proportion generally increased viscosity and adhesiveness but reduced spreadability, whereas higher vaseline fractions improved spreadability while maintaining pH within a skin-compatible range. The models showed good fit and predictive utility, and the selected blend (vaseline:lanolin = 70:30) met all predefined physical criteria, with observed responses showing no significant difference from predicted values. In conclusion, simplex lattice optimization efficiently guided the vaseline–lanolin ratio toward a base with favorable rheological properties, providing a useful and reproducible platform for incorporating M. charantia extract in future efficacy and stability studies.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder characterized by keratinocyte hyperproliferation, persistent inflammation, dysregulated apoptosis, and tissue remodeling. Momordica charantia has attracted attention as a potential anti-psoriatic herbal candidate; however, the molecular basis of its bioactive metabolites remains insufficiently understood. This study investigated the anti-psoriatic potential of cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from M. charantia using integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking. Of 192 secondary metabolites, 50 passed pharmacokinetic and toxicity screening, yielding 347 predicted human targets, of which 159 overlapped with 3,383 psoriasis-associated genes. Key hub genes identified by protein-protein interaction and topological analyses included AKT1, TNF, EGFR, STAT3, IL1B, CASP3, MMP9, HIF1A, and ESR1, with enriched biological processes related to oxidative stress, lipid and hormonal responses, and intracellular receptor signaling. Molecular docking of five cucurbitane-type triterpenoids against four validated hub proteins demonstrated consistently favorable predicted binding affinities for AKT1 via its allosteric pocket, as well as for EGFR and IL1B. Karavilagenin A showed the most favorable binding energy against AKT1, momordicin I against EGFR and IL1B, and cucurbitacin B demonstrated favorable profiles across multiple targets. These findings suggest that M. charantia may influence psoriasis-related biology through multi-target mechanisms, providing a basis for further experimental validation.