Journal of Science and Practice of Pharmacy

Characterization of hydroxypropylated cassava and potato starches: Functional and physicotechnical properties

2024-10-17T06:46:59+00:00

Introduction: Starch modification is achieved using physical and chemical means to improve the physicochemical characteristics and stability of the molecule with potential applications in specialized drug delivery systems.

Purpose: This study aimed to characterize cassava and potato starches modified via hydroxypropylation.

Method: Native cassava and potato starches were subjected to initial pre- gelatinization before being hydroxypropylated (HP) using propylene oxide. The native and HP-starch powders were characterized for their physicochemical properties, powder properties as well as high-resolution analyses using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Results: Organoleptic evaluations indicated that native starches were white and smooth while HPstarches were off-white, coarse and glassy. The HPcassava and potato starches significantly increased in solubility by 79.4 and 14.7%, respectively. The HPstarches also exhibited a reduction in the volume of sedimentation, while only the HP-cassava starch showed a reduced water retention capacity of 1.7133 g/g. Percentage syneresis was lower in both HPcassava and potato starches with 4.16 and 1.08%, respectively. The HP-cassava and potato starches showed excellent flowability with corresponding Carr’s indices of 5.96 and 5.23% and angles of repose of 19.98 and 20.50°, respectively. DSC and FTIR results confirmed starch modification while SEM showed smooth flat particles.

Conclusion: Hydroxypropylation enhanced the solubility, reduced the volume of sedimentation and improved the freeze-thaw stability of the native starches. It also increased the water retention capacity and moisture sorption of potato starch.

Assessment of the pharmaceutical quality of various brands of omeprazole capsules

2024-10-17T06:53:17+00:00

Introduction: Omeprazole is a first-line therapy drug for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. The availability of numerous generic brands in the market raises doubts about their quality.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the pharmaceutical quality of various brands of omeprazole capsules marketed in three states of southern Nigeria.

Methods: Organoleptic and physicochemical properties of ten (10) generic brands of omeprazole capsules were assessed according to official and unofficial standards. Quality assurance tests such as weight uniformity, disintegration time and drug content assay were carried out. The dissolution test was done in a double dissolution medium consisting of 0.1 N HCl for 1.0 h and phosphate buffer pH 6.8 for 2.0 h.

Results: Capsules tested were suitably packaged with shells containing evenly coloured white pellets. All capsules were slightly soluble in water, sparingly soluble in ethanol and readily dissolved in alkaline medium. The 10 brands tested met the British Pharmacopeia (BP) specification for weight uniformity. All capsules had drug content within 90 - 110% and an average disintegration time of less than 15 min. All brands retained the drug in acid medium for 1 hour but released more than 75% within 40 min in phosphate buffer pH 6.8.

Conclusion: Brands of omeprazole capsules passed Pharmacopeia tests, exhibited similar in vitro drug release profiles and may therefore be used interchangeably for the treatment of peptic ulcer. The study also showed that almost all brands of omeprazole capsules available in Nigeria are imported, hence the need arises for regular postclinical analysis of imported drugs.

Direct compression of diclofenac sodium tablet using modified Musa paradisiaca pseudostem cellulose-corn starch polymer alloy

2024-10-17T07:11:01+00:00

Background: Biomaterials exhibit different functional properties. The aim of this study is to formulate direct compressible diclofenac sodium tablet using modified pseudostem cellulose and starch complex.

Methods: Cellulose was extracted from Musa paradisiaca pseudostem and modified using acidhydrolysis and fermentation techniques. The modified cellulose was evaluated using FT-IR analysis. Avicel pH-101 was used as control cellulose. Micromeritic properties of the modified cellulose were evaluated using tapped consolidation technique. Co-milling heat technique was used to produce polymer-alloy of 21.7, 43.4 or 87.0% of modified cellulose and 78.3, 56.6, or 13.0% dried corn starch respectively. The dried starch or polymer-alloy was blended with diclofenac sodium, co-povidone and magnesium stearate to produce batches A - G. The blends were analyzed for Kawakita densification properties before being compressed to tablets. The physicochemical and drug-release properties of the tablets were evaluated.

Results: Of the dried pseudostem mass, 52.01% and 48.04% of extracted and modified celluloses respectively were obtained. The FTIR study showed presence of cellulose in the pseudostem extract and no interaction between the cellulose and diclofenac sodium. The celluloses had Hausner’s ratios < 1.32 and Carr’s indices < 23.54%. The polymer-alloy blends showed Kawakita compressibility < 16.34 and compactibility > 489.30. The control tablets passed physicochemical properties tests. The test tablets had hardness > 12.34 KgF, disintegration time > 144.67 min, and released 7.64 - 77.59% drug in acidic to basic medium over 240 min. The result indicates that the pseudostem-cellulose was flow-able, and produced compactible polymer alloys and extended drug-release tablets.

Conclusion: Direct compression of diclofenac sodium with Musa paradisiaca pseudostem cellulosecorn starch polymer-alloy produced compact tablets with extended drug release.

Self-reported health status of a sample of patients receiving in-vitro fertilization treatment

2024-10-17T08:09:17+00:00

Purpose: To determine the health status of patients receiving in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment and evaluate possible relationships with social demographic factors in comparison to those not receiving infertility treatment.

Methods: The EuroQoL Group-developed EQ5D-5L was used to elicit responses on the five dimensions that make up its health profile; Mobility, Self-Care, Usual Activities, Pain/ Discomfort, and Anxiety/Depression. Respondents scored their perception of how good their health is using a calibrated visual analog scale (VAS) from 0 to 100 with higher values indicating a better-perceived health status. Respondents were randomly selected patients in the waiting area in selected clinics and pharmacies in Abuja, Nigeria. Student's Test and Chisquare were employed for inferential analyses where appropriate. P-values < 0.05 were interpreted as significant.

Results: About 43% of the respondents on IVF treatment reported problems with anxiety and depression compared to 10% of respondents not using IVF (p = 0.0001). They also reported problems with performing usual activities (12%) and pain/discomfort (22%) compared to 3% and 11% respectively for those not on infertility treatment (p < 0.05). Those aged 35-45 years and are currently on IVF treatment reported a significantly lower health status compared to those of the same age range who are not on treatment (p = 0.0001). Study participants on IVF treatment, irrespective of their educational level and marital status, significantly reported a lower health status (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Infertility affects quality of life and the domain mostly affected is anxiety and depression. People taking IVF treatment reported a lower health status compared to those not receiving IVF treatment.

Molecular docking assessment of the tocolytic potential of phytoconstituents of five medicinal plants used against preterm labour

2024-10-17T08:23:13+00:00

Introduction: Preterm labour is currently being treated with a number of medications with untoward side effects, but many medicinal plants have also been found useful. This study aims to assess the tocolytic potentials of the phytoconstituents of Barteria fistulosa, Ficus capensis, Ficus exasperate, Newbouldia laevis and Zingiber officinale.

Methods: Phytoconstituents present in these plants were obtained from literature sources, their 3D SDF structures were obtained from PubChem; the protein Beta-2 adrenergic receptor (7DHI) was processed using Chimera and molecular docking was done using PyRx software. Post-docking analysis was done using Bio-discovery Studio 2.0 and ADMET profiling was done using the Swiss ADME web server and ProToxII virtual lab.

Results: A binding affinity value of less than -7 kcal/mol was found for nine (9) phytoconstituents in Zingiber officinale, fourteen (14) phytoconstituents in Ficus capensis, three (3) phytoconstituents in Ficus exasperata, one (1) phytoconstituent in Barteria fistulosa and forty-four (44) phytoconstituents in Newbouldia laevis. Following post-docking analysis and ADMET profiling of specific ligands from the plants, Kaempferol, Chrysoeriol and Lapachol - all present in Newbouldia laevis - were identified as putative drug molecules based on their higher binding affinity and hydrogen bond interaction with the target proteins' active site amino acid residues.

Conclusion: The tocolytic potential of Zingiber officinale, Ficus capensis, Barteria fistulosa and Newbouldia laevis as a medicinal plant for the treatment of preterm labour is validated. Kaempferol, Chrysoeriol and Lapachol, phytoconstituents in Newbouldia laevis possess the potential as a source of new drugs for the treatment of preterm labour.

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae) formulated as an herbal toothpaste

2024-10-17T08:44:25+00:00

Purpose: The major drawback with many orthodox conventional types of toothpaste is their side effects and sometimes resistance associated with their use. It is on this basis that we investigated the antiinflammatory and antimicrobial activities of the leaves of Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae) formulated as herbal toothpaste.

Methods: Phytochemical and chromatographic screenings were investigated using standard procedures. Anti-inflammatory evaluation was carried out using egg albumin. The antimicrobial evaluation of extract of A. muricata and formulated herbal toothpaste was by agar well diffusion method against selected microorganisms using ciprofloxacin and nystatin as positive controls. The sensory and physicochemical properties of the formulated herbal toothpaste were evaluated.

Results: Phytochemical screening of A. muricata revealed the presence of tannins, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids. The anti-inflammatory activity was dose dependent. There was inhibition of activity by the crude extract and formulated herbal toothpaste containing A. muricata against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The A. muricata formulated herbal toothpaste was sweet and pleasantly smelling with good foaming ability and had a pH range of 7.24-7.92.

Conclusion: A. muricata possess chemical constituents which could be responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. These constituents when present in the formulation of toothpastes could result in more therapeutic effectiveness and reduction in resistance.