Moringa Gum Research Articles

Postharvest Application of Moringa Gum and Cinnamon Essential Oil as Edible Herbal Coating for Extending Shelf Life and Quality of Guava Psidium Guajava

In recent years, the use of various chemicals before and after harvest has become common to boost shelf life. However, the use of these chemicals has its own drawbacks, as some of them are considered to be harmful to the environment and also unfeasible. The main objective of this study is to use edible herbal coating formulations based on Moringa gum [MG] (Concentration: 1, 2 3, 4 and 5 %) and cinnamon essential oil (1 %) for the enhancement of quality and lifespan of guava kept at room temperature for 15 days by applying two methods of coating; dipping and brushing. The guava was dipped and brushed in MG solution for 2 minutes. Analyses of the guavas were done at every 3 days interval. The treatment C3D (Concentration 3 %; dipping) showed the minimum shrinkage index (13.34 %), Physiological Weight Loss [PWL] (27.09 %), fungal decay (70 %), pH (3.76), Total Soluble Solids (TSS) (11.14 °B), mesophilic microbial count (6.73 log CFU/g) as compared to the other samples. The maximum firmness (190.72 N), Titratable Acidity [TA] (0.28 g/L), antioxidant content (15.58 %) and phenolic content (15.93 mg GAE/g) were also observed in C3D coated guavas. These findings indicate that usage of C3D MG coating was successful in maintaining the physiochemical properties of guava and in preserving the fruit's sensory qualities. Future studies would benefit the industries on the utilization of MG for postharvest management of fruits and vegetables as a healthy alternative to chemical fungicides.

Graft and crosslinked polymerization of polysaccharide gum to form hydrogel wound dressings for drug delivery applications

The present article discusses the exploration of the potential of moringa gum (MOG) polysaccharides for developing a hydrogel dressing as a slow drug carrier to the enhanced wound healing. The polymer films were formed by grafting of carbomer onto MOG by radiation induced crosslinking technique. The polymers were characterized by cryo-SEM, AFM, FTIR, 13C NMR spectroscopy, and swelling studies. Drug delivery and biomedical properties of the dressings were also determined. Polymer dressing absorbed 4.20 ± 0.09 g/g simulated wound fluid. The release of levofloxacin was observed without burst effect and followed non-Fickian diffusion mechanism and best fitted in Higuchi kinetic model. The hydrogel films were permeable to O2 and H2O vapour and impermeable to microbes and showed antioxidant activity.

Advanced Dosage Form Design: Role of Modified Natural Gums

Gums are naturally occurring segments in plants, which are cheap and abundant. Natural gums and their derivatives are widely used in a pharmaceutical dosage form. These natural materials possess several advantages over synthetic ones being chemically inert, non-toxic, low cost and biodegradable. However, quick degradation in the body, poor mechanical properties and low solubility are few disadvantages. To overcome these disadvantages, natural gums are modified by applying different chemical modification procedures. The modification of gums is done via various methods such as changing functional groups of gum, cross-linking with ions, grafting with polymers, sulfation, phosphorylation and thiolation. Modification of gums results in some superior properties which can be used in drug delivery applications. For example, change in crystallinity, improved solubility, stability, and improved mechanical properties are of use in development of modified drug delivery systems. Modified gums help to achieve pH dependent delivery and sustained delivery along with improved release kinetics of the drug. Current review covers various types of modifications in general and research literature on various medications of different gums (locust bean gum, cashew gum, moringa gum, xanthan gum, etc.). The modified natural gums and their derivatives can be the prospective carriers in the controlled drug delivery of drugs.

Natural and semisynthetic polymers blended orodispersible films of citalopram

This study was aimed at developing orodispersible films of citalopram using combination of natural and semisynthetic polymers for patients with swallowing problem. Okra biopolymer and moringa gum were utilized in combination with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and pullulan. The disintegration time was less than 30 seconds and the drug content uniformity was 97.89–102.05% for all film formulations. Films formulated with HPMC (K15 and K4M) combination (F1) and combination of okra and HPMC K15 (F2) had superior mechanical properties as compared with F3 (okra and pullulan) and F4 (moringa gum and HPMC). Thermal analysis revealed stable formulations over the studied temperature range and the crystalline citalopram was completely or partially transformed into amorphous form as revealed by the differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy images. In conclusion, okra biopolymer could be used in combination with HPMC for the development of orodispersible films.

Thiol modified Moringa gum – A potential bioadhesive polymer

In the present study Moringa gum was modified by thiolation to enhance its mucoadhesive potential. Thiolation was accomplished by esterification with thioglycolic acid. Thiolated Moringa gum was characterized by FT-IR, TGA, DSC, XRD and SEM-EDX studies. Modified gum was found to have 0.956 ± 0.024 mM of thiol groups/g as determined by Ellman’s method. The greater force of detachment of polymer compacts of modified gum from the mucin discs as compared to native gum indicates its enhanced mucoadhesive potential. The thiolated Moringa gum was formulated into buccal tablets using metronidazole benzoate as the test drug. A comparative evaluation of buccal tablets revealed 1.5-fold higher ex vivo bioadhesion time of buccal tablets of modified gum than the native gum. The results of in vitro release studies showed that modified gum tablets provided a sustained release of metronidazole over 24 h of the study following First-order kinetics with diffusion mechanism of release.

A Preliminary Investigation of Moringa Oleifera Lam Gum As a Pharmaceutical Excipient

Mother nature has gifted India with great variety of flora and fauna. Since centuries man has made an effective use of material from natural origins in the medical & pharmaceutical field. In present study, Moringa oleifera Lam., was explored as a pharmaceutical excipient. Various physico-chemical properties like particle size, solubility, swelling ratio, flow property and compressibility were measured and compared with other materials also. Aceclofenac tablets containing Moringa were prepared and evaluated for various quality control parameters like hardness, friability, wetting time and disintegration time. Drug releases from Aceclofenac tablets were performed. Finally, stability study of optimized batch was carried out. It was observed that Moringa gum had excellent swelling ratio, flow property and compressibility. Batch F3 was considered as optimized batch due to lesser disintegration time, hardness & friability are within the limit. Tablets are stable after stability study.

Radiation-induced graft copolymerization of N‑vinyl imidazole onto moringa gum polysaccharide for making hydrogels for biomedical applications

Keeping in view the importance of polysaccharide gum in the pharmaceutical formulations, in the present work, exploration of the potential of the moringa gum in hydrogel formation for drug delivery applications has been carried out. The gum based hydrogels were prepared via radiation induced graft-copolymerization of N‑vinyl imidazole onto the gum. The polymers were characterized by cryo-SEM, AFM, FTIR, 13C NMR spectroscopy and swelling studies. Some properties of the polymers such as blood compatibility, antioxidant activity, and mucoadhesion and gel strength were also determined along with the evaluation of the drug release profile of an antibiotic drug levofloxacin. The slow release of drug was observed without burst effect from the drug loaded hydrogels. Release of the drug followed non-Fickian diffusion mechanism and release profile was best fitted in in Hixson-Crowell kinetic model. Cryo-SEM showed the porous nature of the hydrogels and AFM analysis confirmed the surface roughness. The polymers were found to be non-haemolytic mucoadhesive and antioxidant in nature with pore size = 12.09 nm and crosslinking density = 9.13 × 10−5 mol cm−3. These results indicated that these pure and sterile polymers can be proposed as a gastrointestinal drug delivery system.

Hydrogel formation by radiation induced crosslinked copolymerization of acrylamide onto moringa gum for use in drug delivery applications

Keeping in view the importance of polysaccharides gum in designing drug delivery systems, the present work is the exploration of the potential of the moringa gum in hydrogel formation via radiation induced crosslinking method for drug delivery applications. These polymers were characterized by cryo-SEM, AFM, FTIR, 13C–NMR spectroscopy and swelling studies. Some properties of the polymers such as blood compatibility, antioxidant activity, mucoadhesion and gel strength were also determined along with the evaluation of drug release profile of an antibiotic drug levofloxacin. The slow release of drug was observed without burst effect from the drug loaded hydrogels. Release of drug occurred through non-Fickian diffusion mechanism and release profile best fitted in Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. Cryo-SEM showed the porous nature of the hydrogels. The polymers were found to be mucoadhesive and antioxidant in nature. These results indicated that these pure and sterile polymers can be proposed as gastrointestinal drug delivery system.

Moringa gum-g-poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) – a potential buccoadhesive polymer

In the present study, MG-g-poly(NVP) was synthesized using microwave-assisted graft co-polymerization reaction. Synthesis of graft co-polymer was optimized using response surface methodology. The influence of concentration of Moringa gum, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and ammonium persulfate on grafting efficiency of graft copolymer was studied using 3-factor, 3-level central composite experimental design. The optimal calculated parameters were found to be concentration of Moringa gum-1% (w/v), N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-2% (w/v), and ammonium persulfate–10 mMol/L, which yielded a graft co-polymer of% grafting efficiency (24.23%). The graft co-polymer were further characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies. The results of characterization revealed that grafting of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone on Moringa gum decreases its crystallinity and makes its surface smoother. Graft copolymer was further evaluated for pharmaceutical application by formulating clotrimazole-loaded buccal discs. A comparative evaluation of buccal discs of graft co-polymer with native gum revealed higher ex-vivo bioadhesion time and greater sustained release effect of the graft copolymer than of native gum.

Evaluation of carboxymethyl moringa gum as nanometric carrier

In the present study, carboxymethylation of Moringa oleifera gum was carried out by reacting with monochloroacetic acid. Modified gum was characterised employing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Rheology study. The carboxymethyl modification of moringa gum was found to increase its degree of crystallinity, reduce viscosity and swelling, increase the surface roughness and render its more anionic. The interaction between carboxymethyl moringa gum and chitosan was optimised by 2-factor, 3-level central composite experimental design to prepare polyelectrolyte nanoparticle using ofloxacin, as a model drug. The optimal calculated parameters were found to be carboxymethyl moringa gum- 0.016% (w/v), chitosan- 0.012% (w/v) which provided polyelectrolyte nanoparticle of average particle size 231nm and zeta potential 28mV. Carboxymethyl moringa gum-chitosan polyelectrolyte nanoparticles show sustained in vitro release of ofloxacin upto 6h which followed first order kinetics with mechanism of release being erosion of polymer matrix.

Phytochemical and physicochemical evaluation of Mocharasa with reference to adulteration

Introduction: Vegetable gums are used in medicine since ancient times. Mocharasa is an extensively used vegetable gum, used in formulations like Piccha basti. It is obtained in very small quantity from the plant source, but the use is extensive which is fulfilled by the substitutes or adulterants similar in color and appearance e.g. gum of Moringa oleifera. Aims and objectives: The present work aims to identify common adulteration of Mocharasa i.e. Moringa oleifera gum with the help of various organoleptic, physicochemical, phytochemical and microscopical studies and their comparison with each other for the identification of adulterant. Materials and Methods: Specimens used were authenticated Mocharasa sample, marketed sample of Mocharasa suggested as possibly adulterants like M. oleifera gum by National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources, New Delhi and self-collected gum of M. oleifera. Comparative study was conducted for identification of adulterants with reference to organoleptic properties and pharmacopoeial tests. Discussion: The study revealed that marketed samples of Mocharasa were having similar physicochemical, phytochemical, and microscopical properties to that of Moringa gum as compared to the genuine Mocharasa sample. Conclusion: In the present study Mocharasa gum was found to be substituted or adulterated by Moringa gum.

Nasal Mucoadhesive In Situ Gel of Granisetron Hydrochloride using Natural Polymers

The prolonged residence of drug formulation in the nasal cavity is of utmost importance for intranasal delivery of drug. Present investigation was aimed to develop a mucoadhesive in situ gel of Granisetron hydrochloride (GH) with reduced nasal mucocilliary clearance in order to improve the bioavailability of the antiemetic drug, granisetron hydrochloride. The in situ gelation upon contact with nasal mucosa was conferred via the use of the thermogelling Pluronic flake 127 (PF 127). Moringa gum (MG), carboxymethyl tamarind gum (CMTG) and sodium alginate (SA) was used to modulate mucoadhesion whereas drug release of optimized formulation was modified by 0.3% polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000). Results revealed that as the concentration of mucoadhesive polymer increased the mucoadhesive strength increased and gelation temperature decreased significantly. Preformulation studies showed that addition of GH in 18% PF 127 gels modulated gelation temperature significantly while mucoadhesive polymers alters mucoadhesion. Formulation F6, F11 and F15 showed more than 80% of drug diffusion at 240 min. Gelation temperature and mucoadhesive strength of all three formulations were found in the range of 30-31C and 963.66±9.60 to 991.33±10.26 dyne/cm2 respectively. Formulation F11 showed optimum results and further histopathological evaluation reveled formulation is safe for use. Addition of PEG 6000 increased drug diffusion in formulation F11 with flux 0.034 mg.cm2/min. This study concluded the potential use of CMTG as mucoadhesive in situ nasal gel in terms of ease of administration, accuracy of dosing, prolonged nasal residence and improved nasal bioavailability.

In vitro evaluation of Moringa oleifera gum for colon- specific drug delivery

Background:Moringa gum obtained from stem of the plant Moringa oleifera Lam. belonging to family Moringaceae. Number of naturally occurring polysaccharides obtained from plant (guar gum, inulin), animal (chitosan, chondrotin sulphate), algal (alginates) or microbial (dextran) origin.Objective:The present study was evaluated Moringa oleifera gum as a carrier for colon specific drug delivery using in vitro drug release studies.Materials and Methods:Six formulations of curcumin were prepared using varying concentration of Moringa oleifera gum containing 50 mg curcumin by wet granulation method. Tablets were subjected for evaluation by studying the parameter like hardness, friability, drug content uniformity and in vitro drug release study. Hardness was found to be in the range of 5.5 to 7.3 kg/cm2, the percentage friability was in the range of 0.60 to 0.89%, and tablet showed 98.99% to 99.89% of the labeled amount of curcumin indicating uniformity in drug content.Results and Discussion:In vitro drug release study was performed using simulated stomach, intestinal and colonic fluid. The susceptibility of Moringa gum to colonic bacteria was also assessed using drug release study with rat caecal contents. 30% Moringa gum containing formulation (F-3) was shown better drug released that is 90.46%, at the end of 24 h of dissolution study in the presence of rat caecal contents in comparison to 40% Moringa gum containing formulation (F-4) that was 78.03%.Conclusion:The results illustrate the usefulness of Moringa olefera gum as a potential carrier for colon-specific drug delivery.