Development and In Vitro Evaluation of Oral Capsules from Antiaris: A Convenient Substitute for Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract

Antiaris is a monoherbal decoction produced by the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), Mampong-Akuapem, Ghana. It is prepared from the stem bark of Antiaris africana Engl. (Moraceae), prescribed, and dispensed to patients for the management of nervous disorders. This current formulation presents notable challenges in patients’ adherence to treatment regimen due to its bulkiness and bitterness. These challenges have resulted in a decrease in therapeutic outcome. This study sought to transform Antiaris into oral capsules to mask its bitter taste and reduce bulkiness of the product to improve patients’ convenience. In this study, four (4) conventional release capsule formulations were successfully prepared from the decoction via wet granulation using corn starch, lactose, light magnesium carbonate (LMC), and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and labelled A01, A02, A03, and A04 respectively. The drug-excipient compatibility studies on A01, A02, A03, and A04 were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The flow properties of the granules as well as the quality assessment of the formulations such as dissolution, disintegration, uniformity of weight, and assay tests were evaluated using pharmacopoeial and nonpharmacopoeial methods. Appropriate models were used to investigate the difference factor (f1) and similarity factor (f2) of the dissolution profiles of the formulations and Antiaris. From the study, all formulated granules had excellent flow properties with Carr’s index from 7.83 to 9.56%, Hausner’s ratio from 1.09 to 1.10, and angle of repose from 25.13 to 27.87°. Drug-excipient compatibility studies demonstrated no interaction between extract and used excipients. All formulations passed the uniformity of weight, disintegration, assay, and dissolution tests. Formulation A02 had the highest dissolution efficiency of 100.12%, while A03 recorded the least value of 97.22% in the 1 h dissolution studies. A comparison of their various dissolution profiles, respectively, to that of its decoction demonstrated their similarity, since, in all comparisons, f2 < 15 and f1 > 50. This implies that, any of these four formulations could be a good substitute for Antiaris.

Development of Modified-Release Diclofenac Sodium Capsules Using Blends of Pectin-Clay Multiparticulate Hybrid Systems as Release Retardants

“…A maximum force gauge was used to apply the pressure to the test samples on the diamond crystal. A spectrum was generated in the range of 4000 cm −1 -400 cm −1 after scanning the sample twenty-four times [21].…”

“…Tis implies that the developed pectin-clay diclofenac capsules met the BP standard for the uniformity of the weight test [42]. Tis is as a result of the uniform particle-size distribution of granules and their recorded excellent fow properties which could have led to the even flling of the capsule shell and uniform granule compression after flling, resulting in the passing of this test [21]. As a result, it can be seen that the formulations contain even doses of diclofenac sodium between the individual capsules.…”