Characterization of Mucilages from Abelmoschus Manihot Linn., Amaranthus Spinosus Linn. and Talinum Triangulare (Jacq.) Willd. Leaves for Pharmaceutical Excipient Application

Abstract

Introduction: The edible leaves of Abelmoschus manihot Linn., Amaranthus spinosus Linn. and Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd. are exhibiting mucilaginous features and are utilized in making soupy dishes. However, the utilization of the said plant species as sources of mucilages for pharmaceutical excipient application has not yet been reported in literatures. Objectives:The study aimed to extract and partially characterize mucilages from the leaves of A. manihot, A. spinosus and T. triangulare. for potential pharmaceutical excipient application. Materials and Methods: Mucilages were extracted from the leaves of A. manihot, A. spinosus and T. triangulare. Preliminary qualitative tests as well as determination of the physico-chemical properties, i.e. pH, solubility, swelling index, loss on drying, total sugar content and total uronic acid content, were conducted on the extracted mucilages. Identification of functional groups were also carried out through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Results and Discussion: Results of the qualitative tests showed detection of carbohydrates, polysaccharides and mucilages among the mucilages extracted from A. manihot, A. spinosus and T. triangulare. The pH values of the extracted mucilage were nearly neutral indicating that they can be less irritating to the gastrointestinal tract when utilize for tablet formulations. Data obtained for the physico-chemical properties showed that mucilages of A. manihot gave statistically different values as compared to the mucilages derived from A. spinosus and T. triangulare. A. manihot mucilage exhibited significantly higher swelling index (357.78%) and total sugar content (273.65 mg glucose/g extract) and significantly lower loss on drying (10.72%) and total uronic acid content (105.20 mg glucuronic acid/g extract) than the other mucilages from A. spinosus and T. triangulare. Furthermore, FTIR spectral analysis showed typical peaks and characteristic bands of mucilage. Conclusion: A. manihot mucilage is promising for utilization as pharmaceutical excipient. However, further analysis is recommended.

Characterization, Antioxidant Activities, and Functional Properties of Mucilage Extracted from Corchorus olitorius L.

“…There was no significant difference in the solubility between hexane and methanol. In other studies, researchers also confirmed that the mucilage was insoluble in the organic solvents [53,54]. This showed that mucilage extracted from C. olitorius L. possessed high polarity.…”

Amaranthaceae plants of Israel and Palestine: Medicinal activities and unique compounds

“…345 The following reports presented general chemical composition or known compounds, but they also presented uniqueness or special interest. Betacyanins and phenolics, 346 Very detailed composition with (or without) tables, [347][348][349][350][351][352][353][354] isolation of α-spinasterol from stem extract, 355 identification and quantification of quercetin in leaves extract, 356 isolation of mucilages from leaves 357 have been reported Table 10. Biological, medicinal and other properties of Amaranthus viridis.…”