Development of oral capsules from Enterica herbal decoction-a traditional remedy for typhoid fever in Ghana.

The study aimed to develop oral capsules from Enterica herbal decoction used in Ghana for the treatment of typhoid fever and produced by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM). The amount of dry extract per dose (30ml) of Enterica and the wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax) of aqueous solutions of Enterica extract were determined. Light magnesium carbonate (LMC) and maize starch (MS) were employed as absorbents at various concentrations in the preparation of granules of the extract. The % loss in weight, size distribution and flow properties of the granules were evaluated. Enterica oral capsules were formulated using LMC at 22 mg/dose of extract and the dissolution properties of the granules and capsules were determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometry. The dry Enterica extract/dose was 190.1 ± 0.12 mg and λmax was 356 nm. The loss of granules was 2.07-7.31 %w/w for LMC and 2.73-7.81 %w/w for MS. LMC granules (22 mg/dose) prepared for encapsulation exhibited good flow properties. The granules for encapsulation exhibited optimal release of extract (86.08 ± 1.64 % at 45 min) in aqueous medium. The formulated capsules passed the British Pharmacopoeia uniformity of weight, disintegration and dissolution tests. Enterica oral capsules can be used as a substitute for Enterica decoction for the treatment of typhoid fever.

Design, Formulation and Tableting Properties of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Moringa oleifera.

Aim: The aim of this study is to formulate a standard dose of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves into tablets and to determine a suitable binder for the formulation. Methodology: Aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves was extracted and formulated using different binders which included Maize Starch, Gelatin and Micro-crystalline Cellulose (MCC) to find out which one produce better tablets of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves. Formulations were characterized using various parameters such as physicochemical properties (bulk density, tapped density, moisture content, Hausner’s ratio, Carr’s index, ash value), strength (friability and crushing strength) and release properties (disintegration and dissolution times tests). The result showed that tablets formulated with Gelatin as a binder has lowest friability and disintegration time compared to those formulated with either MCC or maize starch. The crushing strengths were all within the acceptable limit (3 – 6 KgF) except maize starch which was higher. Conclusion: Moringa oleifera tablets were successfully formulated and based on experiments conducted, Gelatin is preferable in the formulation of Moringa oleifera tablets.

Formulation of Diclofenac Sodium tablets using Tapioca starch powder- A promising binder.

Formulation research is oriented towards increasing safety and efficacy of existing drug molecule through novel concepts of drug delivery. Diclofenac is a semi-synthetic NSAID used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory. An attempt was made to identify the use of a natural product tapioca starch as binding agent in the formulation of Diclofenac tablets. To establish two other commonly used disintegrating agents potato starch and maize starch were selected and formulated for comparison. Different formulations were prepared by using above three disintegrants in the concentration of 20mg per tablet. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation technique. All the formulations were subjected to in in-vitro evaluation and the results were compared. The formulation containing tapioca starch powder showed good dissolution characteristics, within the Pharmacopoeial limits and comparative to potato and maize starch.