Preliminary physicochemical evaluation of effervescent granules of Anogiessius leocarpus stem bark extract

Abstract

The plant Anogeissus leiocarpus is traditionally used in the treatment of ulcers including gastric ulcers. Effervescent granules are unique, pleasant-tasting oral formulations which are ingested as liquids. This study is a preliminary development and evaluation of effervescent granules of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Anogeissus leiocarpus. The extract was obtained by drying the filtrate gotten from maceration of the dried, crushed stem bark in water. The acids (citric and tartaric acid) were each combined with the base (sodium bicarbonate) in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios and these were mixed with the extract using either the fusion or wet granulation method of preparation of effervescent granules. The granules were evaluated for their flow properties, moisture content, pH after dissolution, effervescent time and in vitro dissolution. Results show that granules prepared by the fusion method possessed better flow properties than those prepared by wet granulation. Moisture content of the granules was similar. Granules containing higher base content had higher pH (7.29 and 7.30) and faster effervescent time (86 -99 sec) than those containing equal ratio of acid and base with pH of 5.85 and 5.96 and effervescent time of 104 -150 sec. In vitro release was faster release from formulations containing higher base content (100 and 90.32 % respectively) than the other batches. Aqueous extract of the stem bark of Anogeissus leiocarpus can be suitably formulated into effervescent granules.