Evaluation of Basella alba L. Mucilage as a Suspending Agent in Metronidazole Suspension

Abstract

In the quest for natural biodegradable, non-toxic polymers for use as excipients in pharmaceutical formulations, mucilage of Basella alba L (BAM) stem was isolated and evaluated as a suspending agent in metronidazole suspensions at different concentrations (0.5% - 2% w/v) in comparison to tragacanth (TCG) and gelatin gums (GLT). The micromeritic properties of the mucilage powder were determined and the metronidazole suspension was characterized using flow rate, redispersion number, sedimentation volume, viscosity and pH. The degree of flocculation was also determined. BAM powder has good flow property with minimal swelling. The order of flow rate of metronidazole suspension was BAM=TCG>GLT while sedimentation volume ranking was TCG>BAM>GLT. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the redispersion number of BAM and TCG formulations. The viscosities of formulations containing BAM and TCG at concentrations of 0.5%-1.0% w/v were the same. The pH of the suspensions ranged from 5 to 8. The degree of flocculation was in the order GLT>BAM>TCG. From our findings, BAM can be used as an alternative suspending agent in suspension formulation.

Extraction, Characterization, and Evaluation of Lepidium sativum Linn. Mucilage as a Mucoadhesive Polymer

“…The swelling property of polymers is primarily associated with the substituted groups of the polymer such as hydroxyl groups which plays a remarkable role in the integrity of the matrix which in turn is determined by the amount and properties of the incorporated drug [ 6 ]. Different synthetic polymers such as polyacrylic acid and its derivatives, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose and various grades of carbopol have been investigated for their mucoadhesion characteristics [ 9 ]. However, synthetic polymers are accompanied with a drawback related to being expensive in cost and they have a problem with their biodegradability and biocompatibility property [ 10 ].…”