Formulation and Assessment of Physical Characteristics of Beta vulgaris L Extract Body Lotion as a Moisturizer

Abstract

Lower-limb prostheses function as biomechanical substitutes that restore mobility in amputees. Despite their functional benefits, prolonged prosthesis use is often associated with adverse cutaneous reactions, including hyperkeratotic lesions, proliferative skin changes, cystic formations, and hypersensitivity responses. Friction and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) aggravate these complications, collectively hindering the tissue healing process. The objective of this research was to formulate and assess a beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) extract-based body lotion as an auxiliary therapy, utilizing its antioxidant potential to minimize oxidative stress and friction. Beetroot extract was obtained via maceration in 70% ethanol, and subsequently incorporated into a lotion base with appropriate excipients. The lotion’s physical properties were examined through conventional stability and performance assessments, and antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. While the formulation met cosmetic quality benchmarks, its adhesion performance was below the desired threshold. Antioxidant activity evaluation showed a very strong activity level, reflected by an IC₅₀ value of 47.90 ppm. These findings suggest that beetroot extract body lotion holds promise as a supplementary skincare intervention for lower-limb amputees, potentially enhancing comfort and cutaneous resilience during prosthesis use.