In recent times the apparent upsurge in the popularity and use of herbal medicines can be related to the success in their use for the management of certain important diseases, empirical proof of efficacy and safety, enhanced dosage form design and better tolerance among others. In this study the quality of some herbal medicines sold in Nigeria were evaluated for basic pharmaceutical quality and compliance to regulatory guidelines. Samples of sixteen frequently used herbal products were collected from Pharmacy stores (Ps) and Patent Medicine stores (PMs) across two states and the Federal Capital Territory. The dosage form, organoleptic properties, moisture content, weight/volume uniformity as well as compliance to regulatory guidelines were evaluated. Sixty percent of the samples were liquids, thirty percent were oral bulk powders and ten percent were capsules. None of the products complied completely with the regulatory requirement stipulated for finished herbal products in Nigeria while only ten percent of the products samples complied with the basic physicochemical properties required for pharmaceutical quality. Consequently, there is a compelling need for the regulatory authorities to ensure stringent quality surveillance and enforcement of guidelines to ensure that herbal medicines are of standard quality.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate sustained release matrix tablets of metformin formulated using Detarium microcarpum gum (DMG) as the matrix polymer. Methods: DMG was produced by acetone desolvation of the filtrate obtained by maceration of powdered seeds of Detarium microcarpum in distilled water. Metformin matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression technique using DMG or sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) alone, or their combinations as the polymer matrix. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, weight uniformity, drug content, swelling behaviour and in vitro dissolution. They were compared to a marketed product. Results: The results of the evaluation showed that the tablets had physical characteristics that were within the acceptable limits and were comparable to the marketed product. They include hardness (7.13±1.99 to 13.17±1.59 Kgf), friability (0.40 to 0.80%), and drug content (95.11 to 104.17%). Formulations MTF2 (30% DMG) and MTF6 (20% DMG and 10% NaCMC) showed good sustained release behaviour, as they released 75% of the drug within 7 to 9 h and 100% release in more than 12 h. Conclusion: DMG alone or with NaCMC was successfully used to formulate sustained release metformin matrix tablets that were comparable to the marketed product.

No abstract

No abstract

The purpose of this study was to formulate niosomal gel for topical delivery of diclofenac using Grewia gum as gelling agent. Niosomes containing 1g of diclofenac were formed using the thin film hydration (TFH) method. Niosomal gels were then formulated using a semi-synthetic polymer, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and a natural polymer, Grewia gum as gelling agents. The formulated gels were evaluated for spreadability, viscosity, extrudability, homogeneity, clarity and pH. Results show that gels having pH and viscosity ranges of 6.8-7.3 and 265-490 Poise respectively were formed. The gels were homogenous, clear and showed good spreadability and extrudability except for batches F7 and F8. The gels formulated using the test gum, Grewia gum compared favourably with those of the standard polymer, HPMC as well as with the marketed gel. Formulation F5 containing 2% w/w Grewia gum, the optimized batch, showed viscosity of 265 poise, pH of 6.9, spreadability and extrudability values of 5.55 cm and 5.00 g/s respectively. In conclusion, Grewia gum at a concentration of 2% w/w could be used in the formulation niosomal gel for the delivery of diclofenac, which would help to circumvent the potential gastric irritation of diclofenac when used orally. Keywords: Niosomes; Grewia gum; Diclofenac; Lipid hydration; Topical delivery