Development of lozenges containing extract of Codonopsis javanica (Blume) Hook. f. & Thomson

Abstract

Codonopsis javanica (Blume) Hook. f. & Thomson, a precious medicinal herb, has demonstrated its therapeutic effects on regulating the immune system, treating cough, dissipating phlegm, lowering blood sugar and protecting the gastric mucosa... This study aimed to develop lozenges containing dry extract of C. javanica (Blume) Hook. f. & Thomson and overcome the disadvantages of ordinary lozenges such as moisture sensitivity, recrystallisation during storage and reducing the consumed energy of users. Several formulations with different excipient ratios and process parameters had been studied. The properties of the lozenges such as moisture content, glass transition temperature (Tg) and hygroscopicity were evaluated. The cause-effect relations between formulation ingredients, process parameters and properties of lozenges were developed, using BCPharSoft OPT software. The optimal placebo formulation consisted of 50% isomalt (w/w) and 15% maltodextrin DE 12 (w/w), and the optimal moulding temperature was 155oC. The optimum percentage of C. javanica (Blume) Hook. f. & Thomson dry extract in the C. javanica (Blume) Hook. f. & Thomson lozenges was 15% (w/w). The chosen lozenges had a moisture content of less than 0.5%, a hygroscopicity level of less than 6% (under experimental conditions at a temperature of 30±2oC, a humidity of 75±5%), and a Tg of 45.8oC. This study could provide useful data for further study on the production of lozenges containing dry extract of C. javanica (Blume) Hook. f. & Thomson.