Herbal fairness formulations MCQs With Answer

Herbal fairness formulations MCQs With Answer

This short quiz collection is designed for M. Pharm students studying Herbal Cosmetics (MPG 204T) and focuses on herbal fairness formulations. It covers key phytochemicals, mechanisms of skin lightening, extraction and standardization techniques, formulation challenges (stability, compatibility, penetration), delivery systems, in vitro/in vivo evaluation methods, and regulatory considerations. Questions are crafted to deepen understanding beyond rote facts, prompting application of formulation science and quality control to herbal actives used in fairness products. Use these MCQs to prepare for exams, seminars, and practical formulation design where evidence-based selection and safe, effective product development are essential.

Q1. Which of the following best describes the primary mechanism by which glabridin from Glycyrrhiza glabra contributes to skin lightening?

• Stimulates keratinocyte proliferation to increase desquamation
• Inhibits tyrosinase activity and reduces melanosome transfer to keratinocytes
• Acts as a physical UV blocker on the skin surface
• Chelates iron to prevent melanogenesis

Correct Answer: Inhibits tyrosinase activity and reduces melanosome transfer to keratinocytes

Q2. A major formulation limitation of curcumin when used in topical fairness products is:

• Excessive skin penetration leading to systemic toxicity
• Poor aqueous solubility and photodegradation
• Inability to inhibit melanin synthesis
• Irreversible binding to collagen causing stiffness

Correct Answer: Poor aqueous solubility and photodegradation

Q3. Arbutin is chemically best classified as:

• A synthetic phenolic antioxidant
• A glycosylated hydroquinone (hydroquinone glycoside)
• An alkaloid that inhibits melanosome formation
• A peptide tyrosinase inhibitor

Correct Answer: A glycosylated hydroquinone (hydroquinone glycoside)

Q4. Kojic acid reduces skin pigmentation primarily by which biochemical interaction?

• Acting as a competitive substrate for melanin polymerization
• Chelating copper ions at the active site of tyrosinase
• Stimulating melanocyte apoptosis
• Blocking UV penetration into the epidermis

Correct Answer: Chelating copper ions at the active site of tyrosinase

Q5. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) contributes to fairness by which mechanism?

• Directly inhibiting tyrosinase catalytic activity
• Inhibiting melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes
• Acting as a strong skin-exfoliating alpha hydroxy acid
• Causing selective melanocyte apoptosis

Correct Answer: Inhibiting melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes

Q6. For extraction of thermolabile phenolic actives from plant material intended for fairness formulations, the preferred modern technique is:

• Reflux extraction at elevated temperature with methanol
• Maceration at room temperature without agitation
• Ultrasonic-assisted extraction at controlled low temperature
• Dry distillation to concentrate phenolics

Correct Answer: Ultrasonic-assisted extraction at controlled low temperature

Q7. Which analytical approach is most appropriate for standardization and fingerprinting of a multi-herb fairness formulation?

• Microbial limit testing only
• HPTLC fingerprinting combined with marker compound quantification
• Only organoleptic evaluation and pH measurement
• Single-point UV absorbance at 280 nm

Correct Answer: HPTLC fingerprinting combined with marker compound quantification

Q8. A common stability problem observed in cream formulations containing flavonoid-rich herbal extracts is:

• Complete insolubility in oil phase causing phase inversion
• Oxidative degradation leading to discoloration and loss of activity
• Increased pH beyond skin-tolerance limits due to flavonoids
• Spontaneous formation of harmful peroxides at low temperatures only

Correct Answer: Oxidative degradation leading to discoloration and loss of activity

Q9. Which combination of penetration enhancers is commonly considered safe and effective for improving delivery of hydrophilic herbal actives in fairness creams?

• DMSO and azone at high concentrations
• Propylene glycol and ethanol in controlled percentages
• Oleic acid and benzyl benzoate exclusively
• Sodium lauryl sulfate as the primary enhancer

Correct Answer: Propylene glycol and ethanol in controlled percentages

Q10. To maximize skin deposition of a lipophilic herbal bleaching agent while minimizing irritation, which advanced delivery system is most appropriate?

• Simple oil-in-water cream with high surfactant content
• Nanoemulsion with free surfactants at 15% concentration
• Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for controlled release and occlusion
• Aqueous gel with strong chemical peels

Correct Answer: Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for controlled release and occlusion

Q11. In the in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay commonly used for screening herbal fairness actives, which substrate is typically used?

• Glucose
• L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine)
• ATP
• Oleic acid

Correct Answer: L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine)

Q12. Compared to hydroquinone, arbutin is characterized by which safety and efficacy profile?

• More potent and more cytotoxic than hydroquinone
• Glycosylated derivative that is generally less potent but exhibits lower cytotoxicity
• Completely inactive as a skin lightening agent
• Causes irreversible depigmentation at low concentrations

Correct Answer: Glycosylated derivative that is generally less potent but exhibits lower cytotoxicity

Q13. Optimal pH range to formulate kojic acid for improved chemical stability and minimal degradation is approximately:

• Alkaline (pH 9–10)
• Neutral (pH 7–8)
• Acidic (pH 3–5)
• Extremely acidic (pH 1–2)

Correct Answer: Acidic (pH 3–5)

Q14. Which herbal-derived ingredient is most associated with phototoxicity and must be used cautiously in fairness products intended for daytime use?

• Aloe vera gel
• Berberine from Berberis species
• Bergamot oil containing bergapten (furanocoumarin)
• Green tea polyphenols

Correct Answer: Bergamot oil containing bergapten (furanocoumarin)

Q15. Which statement about preservative effectiveness in herbal fairness formulations is correct?

• Sorbic acid becomes less effective at higher pH values
• All preservatives are equally effective regardless of formulation pH
• Preservatives are unnecessary if antioxidants are present
• High concentrations of herbal polyphenols universally enhance preservative function

Correct Answer: Sorbic acid becomes less effective at higher pH values

Q16. The most objective clinical endpoint commonly used to quantify efficacy of a fairness formulation in human trials is:

• Subjective patient satisfaction only
• Reduction in melanin index measured by Mexameter or reflectance spectrophotometry
• Increase in transepidermal water loss
• Number of exfoliative events recorded

Correct Answer: Reduction in melanin index measured by Mexameter or reflectance spectrophotometry

Q17. Which in vitro assay is commonly used to evaluate antioxidant potential of herbal extracts intended to protect fairness actives from oxidative degradation?

• Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay
• DPPH radical scavenging assay
• Bradford protein assay
• Alamar Blue cell viability assay

Correct Answer: DPPH radical scavenging assay

Q18. Which marker compound is routinely quantified to standardize Curcuma longa extracts used in fairness and brightening formulations?

• Quercetin
• Curcumin
• Berberine
• Glycyrrhizin

Correct Answer: Curcumin

Q19. One significant advantage of supercritical CO2 extraction for isolating herbal actives for topical fairness products is:

• Use of highly flammable organic solvents that improve yield
• Solvent-free extracts with low thermal degradation and tunable selectivity
• Inability to extract non-volatile polar compounds
• Requirement for very high extraction temperatures that denature actives

Correct Answer: Solvent-free extracts with low thermal degradation and tunable selectivity

Q20. For substantiating a cosmetic fairness claim under most regulatory frameworks, manufacturers must provide:

• Only a label with botanical names and no data
• Evidence of product safety and adequate clinical or in vitro data supporting the claimed effect
• A certificate of origin for raw herbs only
• An animal toxicity study exclusively

Correct Answer: Evidence of product safety and adequate clinical or in vitro data supporting the claimed effect

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