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Evaluating Mucilage from Aloe Barbadensis Miller as a Pharmaceutical Excipient for Sustained-Release Matrix Tablets
Sustained-release dosage forms are prepared to achieve a desirable and predictable phamacodynamic response within appropriate pharmacokinetic parameters, improve patient compliance, reduce side effects, and maximize drug efficacy (1). Creating drug-embedded matrix tablets using direct compression of a blend of drug, retardant material, and additives is one of the simplest approaches for a formulation. One of the most commonly used methods of modulating drug release is including polymeric material within a matrix system. Matrix systems are important because of their simplicity, low cost, the small influence of physiological variables on their release behavior, and their suitability for manufacture on modern high-speed equipment. (2) Drug-release retarding polymers are the key performers in matrix systems. Various polymers have been investigated as drug retarding agents, each presenting a different approach to the matrix system. Based on the features of the retarding polymer, matrix systems are usually classified into three main groups: hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and plastic. Hydrophilic polymers are the most suitable for retarding drug release, and there is growing interest in using these polymers in sustained drug delivery (3–5). In India, natural gums and mucilage are well known for their medicinal use. They are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as thickeners, water-retention agents, emulsion stabilizers, gelling agents, suspending agents, binders, film formers, and sustained-release agents. They also are used in cosmetics, textiles, paints, and paper-making. Demand for these substances is increasing, and new sources are being developed. India, because of its geographical and environmental position, has traditionally been a good source for such products among the Asian countries. Still, large quantities are imported from Europe to meet increasing demand. Natural gums and mucilage are preferred to semisynthetic and synthetic excipients because of their lack of toxicity, low cost, availability, soothing action, and nonirritant nature. (6–9). Mucilages are normal plant-cell constituents that exist in specialized histological formations such as cells or canals that are common in the external tegument of seeds. Many plants contain mucilage, which provides high concentration of complex polysaccharides. Mucilages are hydrophilic polymers (10). The mucilage from Aloe barbadensis Miller (A. barbadensis), also known as curacao aloes (liliaceae), is obtained from the dried juice of the leaves. It is commonly known as aloe, musabbar, and kumari (gujarati). The principal active component is aloin, which is a mixture of barbaloin, isobarbaloin, aloe emodin, and resins. It also contains aloetic acid, galactouronic acid, glucosamine, monosaccharides, and polysaccharides. It is used as a purgative and is also used to heal wounds, burns, and to treat eczema and disturbed menstruation. In cosmetics, it is used to manufacture shampoos and conditioners. (11, 12). Diclofenac sodium is a potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. It is used to treat degenerative joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondilitis. Diclofenac sodium is rapidly dissolved in intestinal fluid and reaches its maximum blood concentration (C max ) within 30 min. It is metabolized mainly by hepatic hydroxylation and subsequent conjugation (13). In healthy human volunteers, mean plasma clearance of diclofenac sodium was 16 L/h, and the mean elimination half-life of the terminal phase was 1.2–1.8 h (14). To diminish diclofenac sodium gastrointestinal irritation, which is a common problem with all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, effective enteric-coated dosage forms are used. Food, however, effectively delays the absorption of the drug, which causes a nonreproducible pharmacokinetic profile, and the drug has no immediate therapeutic effect (15). A. barbadensis is available locally in India in large quantities and has not been explored as a pharmaceutical excipient. The goal of this research was to extract mucilage from the leaves of A. barbadensis and to study the various pharmaceutical properties of the mucilage to assess its functionality as an excipient in pharmaceutical sustained-release formulations. Experimental Materials. Diclofenac sodium was obtained as a gift sample from Beacon Pharmaceuticals (Ahmedabad, India). The leaves of A. barbadensis were taken from the medicinal garden of C.K. Pithawala Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Research in Surat, India. The plant was authenticated at the Bioscience Department of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University in Surat, India. Guar gum, isapgulla husk, Aerosil (colloidal silica), lactose IP, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (sodium CMC) were procured from CDH (Mumbai, India). All other chemicals used were analytical-reagent grade. Methods. Extraction of mucilage. The fresh leaves of A. barbadensis were taken and washed with water to remove dirt and debris. Incisions were made on the leaves, which were hung overnight. The leaves were crushed and soaked in water for 5–6 h, boiled for 30 min, and left to stand for 1 h to allow complete release of the mucilage into the water. The mucilage was extracted using an eight-layer muslin cloth bag to remove the marc from the solution. Acetone (three times the volume of filtrate) was added to precipitate the mucilage. The mucilage was separated, dried in an oven at a temperature of less than 500 °C, collected, ground, passed through a Number 80 sieve (nominal aperture size is 180 μm) and stored in desiccators at 300 °C and 40% relative humidity before use (16). Physicochemical and microbial properties of A. barbadensis mucilage. The dried mucilage was studied for percentage yield, chemical test, particle size, weight loss on drying, solubility, viscosity, pH, swelling index, bulk and tapped density, angle of repose, compression properties, and microbial load. Chemical test. The dried powder of mucilage was treated with Molisch's reagent and ruthenium red. Weight loss on drying. Weight loss on drying was determined for an appropriate quantity of mucilage at 105 °C for 2 h (17). Particle size. The particle size of the dried-powder mucilage was determined by the microscopic method, and the study was carried out in triplicate. pH of solution. The pH of the 1% solution was measured with a pH meter. Density. A 0.5% weight/volume (w/v) solution of dried mucilage was prepared and transferred to a density-measurement bottle. An empty bottle with distilled water was weighed. The density of the dried mucilage was calculated. Charring. A few milligrams of dried mucilage were placed in a melting-point apparatus. The temperature was taken and recorded when the material started to char. Swelling ratio. The study was carried out using a 100-mL stoppered graduated cylinder. The initial bulk volume of 1 g of dried mucilage was recorded. Water was added in sufficient quantity to yield 100 mL of a uniform dispersion. The sediment volume of the swollen mass was measured after 24 h, stored at room temperature. The swelling ratio was calculated by taking the ratio of the swollen volume to the initial bulk volume (18). Bulk and tapped density. A preweighed, presieved quantity of dried mucilage was poured into a graduated cylinder, and the volume recorded. The cylinder was tapped until the powder-bed volume reached a minimum value, and the tapped volume was recorded. The bulk and tapped densities were calculated (19). Carr's index and Hausner ratio. Carr's index and Hausner ratio were calculated from the bulk and tapped densities (20). Viscosity. Rheological studies of dried mucilage were carried out using varying concentrations (0.1–0.5% w/v) prepared in distilled water. The viscosities were measured using an Ostwald viscometer and compared with those of solutions of sodium CMC at the same range of concentrations. Angle of repose. The angle of repose was determined by the fixed-height funnel method and calculated using the following equation:
in which h is the height of the powder heap and r is the radius of the powder heap. Comparisons were made between dried mucilage, guar gum, and ispaghula husk. Microbial count. The microbial count of the dried mucilage was performed as outlined in the Indian Pharmacopoeia for total aerobic microbial count of bacteria and fungi using the plate count method (21). Preparation and characterization of matrix tablets.To study the matrix-forming properties of the mucilage, tablets were prepared using diclofenac sodium as a model drug and different ratios of dried mucilage powder (see Table I). Different batches of tablets were prepared (A1 to A4). The tablets containing 100 mg of diclofenac sodium were prepared by direct compression on a rotary tablet machine. The batch size was 50 g. The turret was rotated at a fixed speed of 30 rpm. Tablets were prepared using a 10-station rotary tablet machine (Minipress II, Karnavati Engineering, Ahmedabad, India) and evaluated for the following parameters: hardness, friability, and uniformity of weight (22).
Uniformity of weight. Twenty tablets were weighed individually, and the average weight was calculated.
Radial and axial swelling of the tablet. The initial diameter and height of the tablet were measured, and the tablet was stored in distilled water. The increase in diameter and height were measured at selected time intervals up to 5 h. The equilibrium degree of swelling (Q) was calculated from the radial and axial swelling ratio using the following equation:
in which Vt and Vo are the tablet volumes, Rt and Ro are the radii, and It and Io are the heights at time t and zero, respectively (24). Dissolution-rate study. In vitro drug-dissolution studies were conducted using the USP Type II apparatus (Model TDL-08, Electrolab India, Mumbai) at 50 rpm in distilled water at 37 ± 0.5 °C. At specified intervals, 5-mL samples were withdrawn and replaced with fresh medium to keep a constant volume. After appropriate dilution, the sample solutions were analyzed using a UV-visible spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan, Shimadzu-1700) at 276 nm.The amount of drug released was determined by reference to a calibration curve constructed in the three sets of same dissolution media. The mean of the three determinations was used for the data analysis (25). Results and discussion
The physical tests (hardness test, friability, and weight variation) were performed for all formulations. Mean hardness for all formulations was about 4 kg/cm2 , friability was less than 1%, and the weight-variation results for the matrix tablets complied with pharmacopeial limits. From this work, it was shown that dried mucilage possesses good tablet-forming properties.
Conclusion From this preliminary study, the mucilage extracted from Aloe barbadensis Miller appears suitable for use as a pharmaceutical excipient in the formulation and manufacture of sustained-release matrix tablets because of its good swelling, good flow, and suitability for direct-compression formulations. From the dissolution study, it was concluded that the dried mucilage can be used as an excipient for sustained-release, modified-release, and fast-release tablets with suitable modifications. References 1. L.M. Prashant and W.J. Elliot, "Drug Delivery Systems for Treatment of Systemic Hypertension," Clin. Pharmkinet. 42 (11), 931–940 (2003). 2. A. Boza et al.,"Evaluation of Eudrajit RS-PO and Ethocel 100 Matrices for Controlled Released of Lobenzarit Disodium," Drug Dev. Ind. Pharm. 25 (2), 229–233 (1999). 3. S.A. Bravo, M.C. Lamas, and C.J. Salomon, "Swellable Matrices for the Controlled Release of Diclofenac Sodium: Formulation and In-vitro Studies," Pharm. Dev. Technol. 9 (1), 75–83 (2004). 4. G.M. Khan and Z. Jiabi, "Formulation and In-vitro Evaluation of Ibuprofen-carbopol 974P-NF Controlled Release Matrix Tablets III: Influence of Co-Excipients on Release Rate of the Drug." J. Control Release 54 (2), 185–190 (1998). 5. L. Genc, H. Bilac, and E. Guler, "Studies on Controlled Release Dimenhydrinate from Matrix Tablet Formulations," Pharm. Acta Helv. 74 (1), 43–49 (1999). 6. G.T. Kulkarni et al., "Evaluation of Binding Properties of Plantago ovata and Trigonella foenum graecum Mucilage," Indian Drugs 39 (8), 422–425 (2002). 7. B. Anroop et al., "Studies on Ocimum gratissimum Seed Mucilage: Evaluation of Suspending Properties," Indian J. Pharm. Sci. 67 (2), 206–209 (2005). 8. P.D. Bharadia et al., "A Preliminary Investigation on Sesbania Gum as a Pharmaceutical Excipient," Int. J. Pharm. Excipient 1 (4), 102–105 (2004). 9. H. Pawar, and P.M. D'Mello, "Isolation of Seed Gum from Cassia tora and Preliminary Studies of its Application as a Binder for Tablets," Indian Drugs 41 (8), 465–468 (2004). 10. K. Gowthamarajan et al., "Evaluation of Borassus flabellifer Mucilage as Gelling Agent," Indian Drugs 40 (11), 640–644 (2003). 11. C. Evans, Trease & Evans—Pharmacognosy (Elsevier Ltd., New York 15th ed., 2002), pp. 240–244. 12. J. Anjaria, M. Parabia, and S. Dwivedi, Ethnovet Heritage: Indian Ethnoveterinary Medicine an Overview. (Pathik Enterprise, Ahmedabad, India, 1st ed., 2002), p. 194. 13. Goodman's and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, J.G. Hardman, L.E. Limbird, Eds. (McGraw Hill, New York, 9th ed., 1995). 14. P. D. Fowler et al., "Plasma and Synovial Fluid Concentration of Diclofenac Sodium and its Major Hydroxylated Metabolites during Long-term Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis," Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacology 25 (3), 389–394 (1983). 15. J.V. Willis, M.J. Kendall, and D.B. Jack, "The Influence of Food on the Absorption of Diclofenac after Single and Multiple Oral Doses," Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacology 19 (1), 33–37 (1981). 16. S.K. Baveja, K.V. Rao, and J. Arora, "Examination of Natural Gums and Mucilages as Sustaining Agents in Tablet Dosage Forms," Indian J. Pharm. Sci. 50 (2), 89–92 (1988). 17. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Indian Pharmacopoeia (The Controller of Publications, New Delhi, 4th ed., 1996), p. A-89. 18. F.E. Bowen and W.A. Vadino, "A Simple Method for Differentiating Starches," Drug Dev. Ind. Pharm. 10, 505–511 (1984). 19. P. J. Sink, Martin's Physical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science (B. I. Publications Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 5th ed., 2006), pp. 553–556. 20. M.E. Aulton, Pharmaceutics: The Science of Dosage Form Design, (Churchill Livingstone, London, 2nd ed.), pp. 133–135. 21. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Indian Pharmacopoeia (The Controller of Publications, New Delhi, 4th ed., 1996), pp. A-114–116. 22. S.B Gilbert and R.A. Neil, "Tablets" in The Theory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy, L. Lachman, H.A. Libermann, and J.L. Kanig Eds., (Varghese Publishing House, Bombay, India 3rd ed., 1987), pp. 293–344. 23. R. Ilango et al., "In-vitro Studies on Buccal Strips of Glibenclamide using Chitosan," Indian J. Pharm. Sci. 59 (5), 232–235 (1997). 24. P. Colombo et al., "Drug Release Modulation by Physical Restriction of Matrix Swelling," Int. J. Pharm. 63 (1), 43–48 (1990). 25. P.D. Bharadia and M.C. Gohel, "Formulation and Evaluation of Diclofenac Sodium Modified Release using Ispaghula Husk," The Indian Pharmacist 5 (51), 92–96 (2006).
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