Abstract
In developing countries modern medicines are often beyond the affordability of the majority of the population. This is due to the reliance on expensive imported raw materials despite the abundance of natural resources which could provide an equivalent or even an improved function. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of sesamum gum (SG) extracted from the leaves of Sesamum radiatum (readily cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa) as a matrix former. Directly compressed matrix tablets were prepared from the extract and compared with similar matrices of HPMC (K4M) using theophylline as a model water soluble drug. The compaction, swelling, erosion and drug release from the matrices were studied in deionized water, 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) using USP apparatus II. The data from the swelling, erosion and drug release studies were also fitted into the respective mathematical models. Results showed that the matrices underwent a combination of swelling and erosion, with the swelling action being controlled by the rate of hydration in the medium. SG also controlled the release of theophylline similar to the HPMC and therefore may have use as an alternative excipient in regions where Sesamum radiatum can be easily cultivated.
Highlights
Hydrophilic matrices are commonly used as oral drug delivery systems and are being increasingly investigated for controlled-release applications because they combine the advantages of being easy to formulate but are economical to produce (Heller et al, 1983; Nokhodchi et al, 2012; Shojaee et al, 2013)
The results show that sesamum gum polymer (SGp) and the formulation blend (SGf) exhibited higher porosites than HPMCp and HPMCf respectively (P
Harder compacts were formed by SGp and SGf (Fig. 1a and b) indicating that SGp is a highly compactible polymer forming matrices with higher hardness as compared with HPMCp
Summary
Hydrophilic matrices are commonly used as oral drug delivery systems and are being increasingly investigated for controlled-release applications because they combine the advantages of being easy to formulate but are economical to produce (Heller et al, 1983; Nokhodchi et al, 2012; Shojaee et al, 2013). Occurring polymers are increasingly becoming the focus of research on hydrophilic matrices for oral controlled release (Naggar et al, 1992; Bonferoni et al, 1993; Kristmundsdottir et al, 1995; Sujja-areevath et al, 1996; Talukdar et al, 1996; Khullar et al, 1998; Vervoort et al, 1998; Nep 2015). They hydrate and swell on contact with water forming the gel layer controlling drug release from the tablet matrices. Drug release from these matrices has been shown to be a complex interaction between swelling, diffusion and erosion (Harland et al, 1988; Peppas and Sahlin, 1989; Lee and Kim, 1991; Colombo et al, 1995; Reynolds et al, 1998)
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