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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.

This study was carried out to evaluate sustained release diclofenac sodium matrix tablets formulated using Brachystegia eurycoma gum (BEG) as matrix polymer. BEG was isolated by acetone -precipitation of the filtrate obtained from the maceration of powdered dried seeds of Brachystegia eurycoma in distilled water. Diclofenac sodium matrix tablets were produced by non-aqueous wet granulation method using BEG as the hydrophilic matrix former. The tablets were evaluated using official and unofficial tests such as; uniformity of weight, content uniformity, dissolution test, tablets diameter, thickness, hardness and friability tests. The drug release profile of the matrix tablets were compared to that formulated using a standard matrix former, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). Hardness values ranged from 6.12 ± 1.80 to 9.73 ± 1.39 kgf, friability from 0.31 ± 0.00 to 1.00 ± 0.00%. The drug content ranged from 98 to 101 %. The percentage drug released from the matrix tablets after 10 h was between 71.27 and 98.73 % except for formulation BF3 that released 32.56 %. This study showed that sustained release diclofenac sodium matrix tablets were  successfully formulated using Brachystegia eurycoma gum as the matrix former and the tablets were comparable to that formulated with HPMC. Keywords: Brachystegia eurycoma gum; Diclofenac sodium; Matrix tablets; Sustained release

Pharmaceutical products (non-sterile) are faced with the challenges of not exceeding the minimum limit of microbial presence tolerated for the respective formulations. Antacid suspensions which are multi-dose drug products that are utilized in the neutralization of gastric acid. This drug with neutral pH makes them to be liable to microbial contamination. This study was conducted to evaluate antacid suspensions marketed in Delta State, Nigeria based on their microbial quality. Six different brands of antacid suspensions were collected from different Pharmacies in Delta state and were analysed microbiologically to isolate and quantify the implicated bacteria and fungi using conventional cultural and biochemical techniques. The microbiological evaluation of these samples was determined using the agar-well diffusion method. Five out of the six brands evaluated were found to be populated with a hugenumber of bacteria (2.5 x 102 to > 2.2 x 102 CFU/ml) and fungi (2 x 102 to 8 x 102 CFU/ml). Staphylococcus aureus was absent in any of the antacids brands studied. However, there were presence of objectionable microorganisms, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in three of the six brands. The results of this study reveal the microbial contamination level of some of the antacid (suspensions)  marketed in Delta State which may be due to poor adherence to current good manufacturing practice by the manufacturers. Keywords: Antacid suspensions, Microorganisms, Microbiological quality, Brands.

Aims: This research was done to study the effects of types and concentrations of lubricants on the dissolution and disintegration profile of metronidazole tablets formulated using Sida acuta gum as a binder. Methodology: Sida acuta gum (SAG) was extracted from powdered dried leaves of Sida acuta. Metronidazole granules were produced by wet granulation technique using different concentrations (1 and 2%) of SAG as a binder and mixed with different concentrations (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%) of magnesium stearate (MS) or sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) as a lubricant. The granules/lubricant -mix was compressed into tablets and evaluated for hardness, weight uniformity, drug content, disintegration time, friability and in vitro drug release. Results: The hardness for the tablets was from 4.08 to 7.97 Kgf. The friability was from 0.02±0.45 to 3.40±0.43%. Tablets from formulations A1-A3, B2, and B3 failed the friability test. Formulations prepared with 1% SAG were more friable than those formulated with 2% SAG. Disintegration time for formulations A1-A3 (1% SAG + MS) ranged from 19.07 to 63.5 min, while that of A4-A6 (2% SAG + MS) was from 39.06 to 81.48 min. Formulations B1-B3 (1% SAG + SLS) had disintegration time that ranged from 4.22 to 6.8 min while that of B4-B6 (2% SAG + SLS) was from 9.35 to 15.90 min. The % drug release at 60 min for formulations that contained SAG and MS was 76.60-104.28% and SAG and SLS was 99.89-101.35% Conclusion: Metronidazole tablets formulated using SLS as lubricant disintegrated faster than those formulated using magnesium stearate as lubricant. Percentage drug release from tablets containing SLS was slightly higher than those that contained magnesium stearate. Higher concentrations of the lubricants produced softer tablets.