This document provides information about Lepa Kalpana (ointment preparations) in Ayurveda. It defines Lepa as herbal pastes used for topical application. Various types of Lepa are described based on consistency (Pralepa and Pradeha) and according to their therapeutic actions. Common bases used include oils, ghee and cow's urine. Proper methods of preparation and application are outlined. Different formulations are provided as examples, including Avalgujadi Lepa and Dasanga Lepa. The document also discusses Siktha Taila (ointment base), Malhara Kalpana (ointment formulations), and provides definitions and types of modern ointments.

1. LEPA KALPANA
BY DR ANJANA.P
2ND YEAR PG
R&B DEPARTMENT
GOVT.AYURVEDA COLLEGE TRIPUNITHURA
KERALA

2. • CONTENTS :-
 Lepa kalpana
 Siktha taila
 Malhara kalpana

3.  Ointments
 Creams
 Gels
 Pastes
 Emulsion

4. • LEPA KALPANA :-
• आलेपस्य च नामानन ललप्तो लेपश्च लेपनं ।
(शा-सं -उ-११/१ )
• Drugs in the form of paste used for topical application is known as
Lepas.
• Synonyms :- Lipta, Lepa, Lepana .

5. • Before use on the body , it is mixed with some liquid or other
medium indicated in each preparation , to made in to a soft paste.
• Water, cows urine, oil, ghee etc. are used as medium for mixing of
lepas.
• द्रव्यमाद्रर लशलापपश्टं शुश्कं वा सद्रवं तनु ।
देहै प्रलेपनार्थं तल्लैप इत्युच्यतै बुधै: ॥ द्र. गु. पव.
यादवजि

6. • Wet medicinal drugs are made in to kalka form .
• If drugs are in dry state, they are converted in to kalka form by adding little
quantity of water and grinding.
• This kalka is used as external application and it is called Lepa kalpana.
• Pharmaceutically Lepa kalpana is a form of Kalka kalpana.
• Lepa kalpana – external application , Kalka – internal & external uses.

7. • CLASSIFICATION OF LEPA :-
• According to Susruta :-
• स त्रिपवध: प्रलेप: प्रदेह: आलेपश्च ।
• Pralepa – seetha, tanu, avishoshi / vishoshi
• Pradeha – usnha / seetha, abahu, avishoshi, VK prasamana, sodhana,
ropana
• Alepa – madhyama Lepa, RP prasadhana
• Lepa pramana – Mahisha charma utseha

8. • According to Astanga Sangraha , Lepas are of 10 types
1. Snaihika
2. Nirvapana
3. Prasadhana
4. Stambhana
5. Vilayana
6. Pachana
7. Pidana
8. Sodhana
9. Soshana
10. Savarni karana

9. • First 5 Lepas – Vrana Sotha
• Rest 5 – Rx of secondary stage of Vrana
• According to Saragadhara , ( based on action )
• Doshagna – 1/4th
• Vishagna – 1/3rd A
• Varnyakara Lepa – ½ A

10. • Doshagna Lepa – Punarnava, Daru, Sunti, Sidhartha, Sigru are made in
to a paste with Aranala – cures all types of Sopha
• Vishagna Lepa – Paste of Tila with Ajadugdha and Navanita – Aruskara
sopha nasana
• Varnya Lepa – Rakta chandhana, Manjista, Lodra, Kusta , Masura etc –
Vyanga nashana.

11. • On the basis of nature and thickness Sarangadhara again classified Lepa in
to two types :-
• Pralepa – Seetha, Tanu, Vishoshi
• Pradeha – Ushna, Khana, Ardra
• Thickness of Pralepa & Pradeha application on skin should be equal to the
Ardra Charma of buffalo

12. • Amount of Sneha dravya in Lepa :-
• According to Dosha :-
• Vata – 1/4th part
• Pitha – 1/6th part
• Kapha – 1/8th part ( Su.Soo. 18 )
• Mode of application :-
• Lepa should be gently rubbed in an upward ( pratiloma) or reverse
direction as of the hair follicles.

13. • Because of this application Lepa enters in to Romakupa, and further get
absorbed through Swedavaha srotas and Siramukha , then produce
desired results.
• Pralepa should not be applied at night , nor it should not be allowed to
stay on drying
• Pradeha can be allowed to stay even after drying to cause constriction
or pressure over body part.

14. • Heat of the body comes out through the skin pores at night normally,
if medicinal applications are done at night, the skin pores get blocked
and obstruct the transfer of body heat.
• But in cases of Apakva sopha, Gambhira sopha, sopha arising from
Rakta and Kapha , applications can be made even at night.
• Lepas are effective as long as they are moist and once they dry up
they will harm the skin.

15. • Lepa after drying should be removed , as it will harm the skin.
• Paryushita Lepa should not be applied.
• Uparyupari Lepa application should be avoided.
• PRESERVATION :-
• Vegetable Lepa – will retain their potency for 30 days if kept in airtight
container
• Mineral and metallic preparations- indefinite shelf life.

16. • EXAMPLES :-
• Avalgujadi lepa – Switra, varnavikriti
• Gruhadhumadi lepa – Vatarakta, sula
• Dasanga lepa - Jwara, sotha, kusta
• Sinduradi lepa – vicharchika, vipadika etc.

17. • SIKTHA TAILA :-
• A combination of Siktha and taila
• Used as a base for different Malhara kalpanas.
• METHOD OF PREPARATION :-
• 2 methods are explained by R.T.
• One part of Siktha ( Beewax) and 8 parts of Tila taila are taken in an tin
coated iron vessel , heated over Mandagni.
• When beewax completely mixed in taila, vessel is taken out from fire.

18. • Stirring is continued with the help of laddle.
• When it becomes concentrated form , it is preserved in wide mouthed
glass container.
• In Sita ritu the ratio of Siktha and Tila taila – 1:8
• In Greeshma Ritu – 1: 5

19. • MALHARA KALPANA :-
• The words maraham and malaham are basically originated from Unani
system of medicine.
• Malhara kalpana is the contribution of Yoga ratnakara.
• The kalpana is called so, because it removes mala from vrana, vidradhi
etc.
• Similar to ointments in modern pharmaceutics.
• At first Siktha taila is produced , which act as base
• Then finely powdered other drugs are added and mixed well to prepare
Malhara.

20. • EXAMPLES :-
• Sarjarasa Malhara – Agnidagdha vrana, Daha
• Gandhakadya Malhara – Pama. Dadru, Kandu
• Sindoorayda Malhara – Pooya nirharana, Vrana shodhana, ropana.

21. OINTMENTS

22. • DEFINITION :-
• Any greasy or oily semi solid preparation , usually medicated, that
can be applied externally to the skin in order to heal, soothe, or
protect it.
• It is a viscous semisolid preparation used topically on a variety of
body surfaces.

23. • Drug ingradients can be dissolved , emulsified or suspended in
the ointment base.
• The word ointment comes from the Latin word “ ungere” means
anoint with oil.

24. • TYPES OF OINTMENTS :-
 Un medicated ointments
 Medicated ointments.
 UNMEDICATED OINTMENTS :-
 Do not contain any drugs.
 Useful as emollients, protectants.
 Used as vehicles for preparation of medicated ointments.

25. • e:g: Petroleum jelly , Soft Paraffin , cold cream , Rose water
ointments etc.
 MEDICATED OINTMENTS :-
• Contain drugs which show local or systemic effects.
• They are of several sub –types :-
 Dermatologic ointments
 Ophthalmic ointments

26.  Rectal ointments
 Vaginal ointments
 Nasal ointments.

27. • DERMATOLOGIC OINTMENTS :-
• Applied topically on the external skin .
• The ointment is applied to the affected area as a thin layer and
spread evenly using gentle pressure with the finger tips.
• They are of 3 types :-
• Epidermic ointments:- Exert their action on the epidermis of the skin.

28. • E:g: ketoconazole ointment
• Endodermic ointments :- Exert their action on the deeper layers
of cutaneous tissue.
e:g:- Demodex ointment
• Diadermic ointments :- Enter in to the deeper layers of skin and
finally in the systemic circulation, exert systemic effects.
e:g- Nitroglycerine ointment

29. • OPTHALMIC OINTMENTS :-
• Sterile preparations which are applied inside the lower eye lid .
• Only unhydrous bases are used in their preparation
• Applied as a narrow band of approximately 0.25 to 0.5 inch
• e:g – Sulfacetamide sodium ointment

30. • RECTAL OINTMENTS :-
• To be applied to the perianal or within the anal canal.
• The bases used are combinations of PEG 300 and PEG 3350,
cetyl alcohol and cetyl esters , wax , liquid paraffin and white
paraffin.
• e:g:- Benzocaine ointment .

31. • VAGINAL OINTMENTS :-
• Ointments applied to the vulvo – vaginal area or inside the
vagina .
• As vagina is more susceptible to infections, the ointment should
be free from micro organisms, moulds and yeasts.
• E:g:- Candicidin ointment .

32. • NASAL OINTMENTS :-
• Used in the topical treatment of nasal mucosa.
• Drugs get absorbed in to the general circulation through the rich
blood supply of the nasal lining.
• e:g :- Ipratropium bromide ointment .

33. • OINTMENT BASES :-
• There are five classes of ointment bases which are differentiated on the basis of
their physical composition.
1. Oleaginous bases
2. Absorption bases
3. Water in oil emulsion bases
4. Oil in water emulsion bases.
5. Water soluble or water miscible bases.

34. • Oleaginous O.B:-
• Fats , fixed oils, hydrocarbon or silicones.
• They are anhydrous, greasy , non washable .
• Does not absorb water and occlusive .
• Form a film on skin so it increases the skin hydration by reducing the rate of
loss of surface water.

35. • Restricted in infected skin
• Used as protectants, emollients, vehicles for hydrolysable drugs.
• Examples are :-
• White petrolatum – purified mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons from
petroleum that has been wholly or nearly decolorized.
• Petrolatum – purified mixture of hydrocarbons obtained from petroleum .
commercial product is Vaseline.

36. • Yellow ointment – mixture of yellow wax (50gm) and petrolatum (950g).
• White ointment – mixture of white wax and white petrolatum.
PETROLATUM WHITE OINTMENT

37. YELLOW OINTMENT
WHITE PETROLATUM

38. • Absorption bases :-
• Anhydrous but hydrophilic ointment base.
• Can absorb several times their weight of water to form water in oil emulsion
• Non washable , not water soluble
• Oleaginous base + W/O surfactant.
• Protectants, emollients, vehicles for aqueous solutions, solids & non
hydrolysable drugs.

39. • e:g – Hydrophilic Petrolatum , Anhydrous Lanolin, Aquabase, Aquaphor,
Polysorb
• Hydrophilic petrolatum – for preparation of 1000g
Cholesterol - 30g
Stearyl alcohol - 30g
white wax - 80g
white petrolatum – 860g

40. HYDROPHILIC PETROLATUM AQUAPHOR

41. • Lanolin – obtained from the wool of sheep, is a purified wax like substance that has been
cleaned , decolorized and deodorized .

43. • WATER IN OIL BASES :-
• These are unhydrous, hydrophilic, absorbs water .
• Non water removable with low thermal conductivity and occlusive.
• Same properties as that of absorption bases.
• Used as emollients, cleansing creams, vehicles for solid, liquid or
non hydrolysable drugs.

44. • e:g – Cold cream type, Hydrous Lanolin, Rose water ointment,
Hydrocream, Eucerin, Nivea etc.
COLD CREAM TYPE HYDROUS LANOLIN

45. ROSE WATER OINTMENT HYDROCREAM

46. • OIL IN WATER O.B :-
• Unhydrous , water soluble , absorb water and water washable.
• They are either carbowaxes Polyethylene Glycols ( PEGs) or
hydrated gums ( bentonite, gelatin, cellulose derivatives ) .
• Used as drug vehicles.
• e:g – PEG ointment , Polybase etc.

48. • WATER SOLUBLE BASES:-
• Do not contain oleaginous components.
• Completely water washable and often referred to as ‘ greaseless’.
• They soften greatly with addition of water , large amounts of
aqueous solutions are not effectively incorporated in to the bases.
• Mostly used for the incorporation of solid substances.
• e:g – Polyethylene glycol ointment

49. • SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE BASE :-
• Release rate
• Topical or percutaneous drug absorption
• occlusion
• stability of drug ( long term or short term).
• Effect of drug on ointment base ( consistency or other features of base).
• Easily removable
• Characteristic of surface for application.( dry or weeping skin).

50. • IDEAL O.B :-
• Does not retard wound healing
• Low sensitization index
• Pharmaceutical elegance
• Low index of irritation
• Non dehydrating & non greasy
• Neutral in reaction
• Good keeping qualities

51. • Compatible with common medicaments
• Washable
• Efficient release of medicament at site of application
• Ease of compounding
• Minimum number of ingradients.

52. PREPARATION OF OINTMENTS

53. • Ointments are prepared by 2 general methods .
• Incorporation
• Fusion
• Incorporation :- the components are mixed until a uniform preparation is
attained.
• Fusion :- liquefying or melting by the application of heat.

54. • INCORPORATION OF SOLIDS :-
• The ointment base is placed on one side of the working surface and
the powdered components , previously reduced to fine powders and
thoroughly blended in a mortar , on the other side
• Mix together – mortar & pestle , spatula , slab
• Roller mill
• Levigating the powder in the ointment base.

56. OINTMENT MILL

57. • INCORPORATION OF LIQUIDS :-
• After considering the capacity of ointment base to accept the required
volume, liquid substances are added.
• Oleaginous base – small amount of aqueous solution
• Hydrophilic base – readily accept aqueous solution
• First prepare aqueous solution incorporated in to a small amount of a
hydrophilic base.

58. • Then that mixture is added to the hydrophobic base.

59. • FUSION METHOD :-
• Act of liquefying or melting by the application of heat.
• All or some of the components of an ointment are combined by melting
together and cooled with constant stirring until congealed.
• Heat liable substances added last, when the temperature of the mixture is
low enough ( to avoid decomposition of ingradients).

60. • In small scale , the fusion process is conducted in a porcelain dish or
glass beaker.
• In large scale it is carried out in large steam jacketed kettles.
• After congealing the mixture may be passed through an ointment mill ( in
large scale ).
• In small scale – rubbed with spatula or in a mortar to ensure uniform
texture.

61. • PACKAGING :-
• Prepare the ointment. Select an ointment jar that will just hold all of the
formulation.
• Begin by taking some ointment and fill the bottom of the ointment jar.
• Use the spatula to put ointment in to the crevices.
• Continue adding ointment to the jar again using the spatula to put the
ointment along the sides of the jar.

62. • As you fill the jar , stab the spatula in to the ointment a couple of times.
• This will reveal air pockets that may have formed.
• Put the spatula half way across the filled jar, and tilt it slightly.
• Rotate the jar and this is make a professional looking finish on the top
of the ointment .
• Wipe off the ointment from the threads of the jar.
• Cap the ointment jar.

64. JAR FILLING MACHINE

65. •
OINTMENT FILLING TUBES

66. •
OINTMENT FILLING BAG

67. •
SYRINGE FILLING
OINTMENT FILLING MACHINE

68. • STORAGE AND DISPENSING:-
• Ointments should be stored in tightly closed and completely filled
containers.
• Changes in temperature can lead to crystallization of the drug and to
changes in the ointment base.
• Usually dispensed in jars of glass or plastic material or in collapsible
tubes.
• Sterile ointments must be dispensed in tubes or single dose units.
• With tin tubes there is risk of corrosion with hydrophilic ointments.

69. • QUALITY CONTROL TESTS FOR CREAMS AND
OINTMENTS :-
• Universal test:-
 Description
 Identification – IR, Chromatography , Raman spectroscopy
 Assay – Spectrophotometer, Chromatography
 Impurities
 Particle size determination

70. • Specific tests :-
 p H – formulation dependent
 Apparent viscosity
• Evaluation tests :-
 Test for rate of absorption
 Non irritancy
 Rate of drug release
 content uniformity

71. • ADVANTAGES :-
• Handling of ointment is much easier than other bulky dosage forms
• They are chemically more stable than liquid dosage forms.
• They facilitate application directly to the affected body part and avoid exposure
of other body part.
• They prolong contact time between drug and the skin,
• They are suitable for patients who find it difficult to take drugs by parenteral and
oral routes.
• The bioavailability of drug administered as ointments is more since it prevents
passage through liver.

72. • DISADVANTAGES:-
• Bulkier than solid dosage forms.
• Less stable than solid dosage forms.
• When applications of an exact quantity of ointment to the affected area is
required, it is difficult to ascertain the same.

73. • MEDICINALAPPLICATION OF THE OINTMENT :-
• Ointments are used topically for several purposes like protectants,
antiseptics, emollients, antipruritic etc.
• In case of a protective ointment, it serves to protect against moisture , air,
sun rays, and other external factors.
• It is necessary that the ointment neither penetrates the human skin barriers
nor facilitates the absorption of substances through this barrier.

74. • An antiseptic ointment is used to destroy or inhibit growth of bacteria.
• Frequently bacterial infections are deeply seated, a base which has the
capacity to either penetrate or dissolve and release the medication effectively
is therefore desired.
• Ointments used for their emollient effect should be easy to apply, be non
greasy and effectively penetrate the skin.