RESUMO
Some excipients are currently available for the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. The purpose of this study is to develop cheap and effective natural excipient that can be used as an effective alternative for the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. The suspending properties of Opuntia ficus-indica and Opuntia stricta mucilages [family Cactaceae] were evaluated comparatively with that of NaCMC at concentration range of 2-6% [w/v] in Paracetamol suspension. Sedimentation volume [%] [with and without electrolyte], rheology, redispersibility, and dissolution rate of the suspensions were employed as evaluation parameters. The values obtained were used as basis for comparison of the suspending agents. The apparent viscosities of the suspensions in all the suspending agents concentration levels and applied shear rates were in the order of NaCMC>OS>OFI with non-Newtonian flow and accordingly the flow rates of the suspensions were in the order of OFI>OS>NaCMC. The sedimentation volumes [%] of the suspensions in all the suspending agent concentration levels were higher for OS followed by OFI and then NaCMC. The high sedimentation volumes [%] of suspensions, in turn, were accompanied by ease of redispersibility of that order. The effect of electrolyte on sedimentation volume [%] had dual effect. It was only the suspensions that had NaCMC that showed increase in sedimentation volume [%] in all molar NaCI concentration. However, in suspensions that had mucilages of OS and OFI, an initial increase in sediment volumes [%] were accompanied by decrease after 1x10[-3]M and 1x10[-2]M of NaCI, respectively. Dissolution of the suspensions which had mucilages attained the acceptable ranges [>/= 80% drug release in 30 min] in 5 min. Similarly, except A6 formulations A2, A3, A4 and A5 have attained the limit but the release was not as quick as the previous formulations. Hence, it can be concluded that mucilages of Opuntia spp. [Opuntia ficus-indica and Opuntia stricta] can be used as alternatives to NaCMC as suspending agent in suspension formulations
Assuntos
Opuntia , Plantas MedicinaisRESUMO
Self-medication is the selection and use of non-prescription medicines by individuals’ own initiatives to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms. It is practiced significantly worldwide even though its type, extent and reasons for its practice may vary. No data is available on the current status of self-medication practices among health sciences students of Ayder campus of Mekelle University (ACMU). Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 307 health sciences students in ACMU from April to June 2011. Pre-tested and validated questionnaires were employed as tools for data collection. Study populations were determined by using two stages stratified random sampling methods. Among 148 reported illnesses prior to the study period, 94(63.50%) were males and 48(36.50%) were females with mean age of 21.5(18-25) years. The prevalence of self-medication in this study was 43.24% with most frequently reported symptom being headache 33(51.56%) followed by cough and common cold 28(44.80%). The two main reasons for self-medication were prior experience 25(39.10%) and mildness of the disease 24(37.50%). Paracetamol 31(48.44%) and NSAIDs 27(42.20%) were the two most frequently consumed medications with drug retail outlets 26(40.63%) as the main source of drugs to practice self-medication. Self-decisions 41(64.00%) followed by family/friends 20(31.65%) were the two most frequently reported source of drug information for self-medication in this study. More than half of the respondents disagreed with the practice of self-medication in the present study. Moreover there were statistically significant differences between respondents who reported practicing self-medication based on gender, specific field of study and study year.