Formulation and Pharmaceutical Assessment of Annona muricata Oral Capsules and Suspension as Antidiarrhea Dosage Forms

Frederick William Akuffo Owusu,Philomena Entsie,Christina Osei-Asare,Esther Antwi-Mensah,Ofosua Adi-Dako,Mariam El Boakye-Gyasi,Grace Boakye Bosuthe,Marcel Tunkumgnen Bayor,Vinod Kumar Tiwari

doi:10.1155/2021/1792437

Abstract

Annona muricata (Annonaceae) is a tropical plant widely known for its edible fruits. Recent scientific studies have confirmed the folkloric use of its seeds as an antidiarrheal agent. This study sought to formulate capsules and suspensions using the ethanolic extract from Annona muricata seeds. The dried ethanolic extract was formulated into granules and subsequently encapsulated. The suspension formulated was assessed for sedimentation rate, sedimentation volume, viscosity, dissolution, drug content, and flow rate, while pharmacopeia tests such as disintegration, dissolution, uniformity of weight, and drug content were carried out on the formulated capsules. The formulated suspension passed the drug content and in vitro release studies. Annona muricata suspension exhibited pseudoplastic flow with good sedimentation rate and sedimentation volume. The formulated capsules passed the in vitro dissolution studies, weight uniformity, disintegration, and drug content tests. The ethanolic extract of Annona muricata seeds was appropriately formulated into standardized solid and liquid oral dosage forms.

Highlights

Diarrhea is a condition of having unusual loose or watery stools with a sense of urgency
Diarrhea is a leading cause of death in all age groups with an estimated 1.31 million deaths recorded annually across the globe for a mortality rate of 7.58% [1, 2]. e burden of deaths is greatest in low-income countries such as Ghana where getting access to portable water and proper sanitation is a problem
Irrespective of the reported dose and pharmacological activity of the ethanolic extract of the seeds of Annona muricata in the management of diarrhea, its use is limited in clinical settings due to the absence of standardized dosage forms

Summary

Introduction

Diarrhea is a condition of having unusual loose or watery stools with a sense of urgency. Irrespective of the reported dose and pharmacological activity of the ethanolic extract of the seeds of Annona muricata in the management of diarrhea, its use is limited in clinical settings due to the absence of standardized dosage forms. Against this background, this study seeks to provide standardized dosage forms (suspensions and capsules) of the ethanolic extract of the seeds of Annona muricata in order to substantiate its clinical usefulness and integration into current health care delivery as an effective antidiarrheal agent.

Materials and Methods

Methods

Assessment of Annona muricata Capsules

Results and Discussion

Quality Assessment of Annona muricata Suspension