Abstract
Purpose: To characterize some preformulation properties of aqueous stem bark extract of Bridelia ferruginea Benth (Euphorbiaceae) (BF).Methods: The stem bark was extracted by maceration in hot distilled water. Two batches of granules containing the extract were prepared by wet granulation using maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Avicel® PH-101, magnesium stearate, acacia and lactose as excipients. Some physicochemical and micromeritic properties of the powdered extract and granules were determined following standard procedures.Results: The pH of the aqueous BF extract was 5.4 ± 0.1 while the moisture content of the dry extract was 12.0 %. Total ash value of the extract was 7.91 ± 0.03. Particle size increased after granulation from 228 to 531 μm in the order: granules 1 > granules 2 > powder. The bulk and tapped densities decreased significantly (p < 0.05) from 0.40 ± 0.04 to 0.77 ± 0.09 and 0.49 ± 0.05 to 0.85 ± 0.09 g/ml, respectively in the order: granules 2 < granules 1 < powder. Similarly, the angle of repose increased after granulation from 24.0 ± 0.5 to 25.4 ± 0.9 o in the order: granules 2 < granules 1 < powder (p < 0.05). The flow rate and compressibility of the granules (2.45 ± 0.08 g/min and 0.17, respectively) improved significantly (p < 0.05) over those of the powdered BF extract (2.34 ± 0.05 g/min and 0.26, respectively).Conclusion: The results of this preformulation study indicates that the powdered extract of Bridelia ferruginea possesses properties that make it suitable for its formulation into standard solid dosage forms.Keywords: Herbal medicines, Bridelia ferruginea, Preformulation studies, Micromeritic properties, Wet granulation.
Highlights
The term, herbal medicines, has been defined as medicinal products whose active ingredients are derived from aerial or underground parts of plants or other plant material or the combination of them, whether in the crude state or as a plant preparation [13]
The objective of this study was to characterize the preformulation properties of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark extract in order to determine its suitability for formulation into solid dosage forms
The moisture content obtained (12.0 %) was high when compared to the normal limit of not more than 10.0 % as specified in the European Pharmacopoeia [16]
Summary
The term, herbal medicines, has been defined as medicinal products whose active ingredients are derived from aerial or underground parts of plants or other plant material or the combination of them, whether in the crude state or as a plant preparation [13]. Plant material includes such substances as juices, gums, and oils. Medicinal plants have played a key role in world health. They are distributed worldwide, but are most abundant in tropical countries. The plant materials are usually boiled in water to make decoctions [6]
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