Evaluation of xerogels of cassava and cocoyam starches as dry granulation binders and disintegrants in directly compressed paracetamol tablet formulations

The physicochemical properties of excipients play vital roles in the process of tablet manufacture. A comparative evaluation of the binding and disintegrant properties of xerogels of cassava and cocoyam starches with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in paracetamol tablet formulations was investigated. Cassava and cocoyam starches were extracted from their tubers following standard procedures. Xerogels of both starches were prepared and used to prepare batches of paracetamol granules for direct compression into tablets at concentrations of 3.8, 7.6 and 11.4 %w/w and with 7.6 %w/w MCC for comparison. Granules were analysed for their flow properties and drug-excipient compatibility and the tablets were evaluated for their tablets properties. The paracetamol granules prepared with the xerogel powders were comparable in flow properties with those made with MCC. Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Fourier Transform Infrared analyses revealed no interaction between the xerogel powders and paracetamol. Increase in concentrations of the xerogel powders led to an increase in hardness, wetting time, water sorption, disintegration time, drug release and a decrease in friability of the tablets. Tablets formulated with the starch xerogel powders met compendial requirements at 7.6 %w/w concentration. The study confirms the potentials of xerogels of cassava and cocoyam starches as dry granulation binders/disintegrants. Tablets made with the xerogel powders are superior to those made with MCC in terms of disintegration time but MCC produces harder and less friable tablets, as a superior binder.

Preliminary investigations of banana (Musa paradisiaca) starch mucilage as binder in metformin tablet formulation

The binding properties of banana (Musa paradisiaca) starchwas investigated using maize starch BP and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as standards in the formulation of metformin tablets. Starch from unripe banana fruits was extracted with distilled water. Mucilages of the banana and maize starches and solutions of PVP at 5 and 10 %w/v were used to produce metformin granules by wet granulation and compressed into tablets. Granules and tablets properties were evaluated. Compatibility studies using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were also carried out. Granules flow properties was of the order: PVP>banana starch > maize starch. DSC and FTIR analysis reveals no interaction between excipients and metformin. Increase in concentration of banana starch mucilage from 5-10% w/v led to an increase in hardness, disintegration time and decrease in friability of the tablets. Tablets of banana starch mucilages were comparable in tablet properties with those of maize starch mucilages and PVP solutions with no significant differences (p<0.05). The tablets exhibited crushing strength, friability and disintegration time values ranging from 6.75-12.00 kp, 0.82-1.50 % and 11.04-14.51 min, respectively. The tablet parameters met compendial requirements at binder concentrations studied except friability values for tablets of PVP. Results revealed that banana starch could be used as a binding agent in metformin tablet formulation due to its comparable binding property with maize starch BP and PVP.

Evaluation of fast disintegrating tablets of paracetamol prepared from a blend of croscarmellose sodium and Pleurotus tuber-regium powder

The study investigated the combination effects of the mixture of croscarmellose sodium and Pleurotus tuber-regium powder on the granules and tableting parameters of paracetamol tablets. Five batches (A-E) of paracetamol tablets were formulated using wet granulation method with various combination ratios of croscarmellose sodium and Pleurotus tuber-regium powder as disintegrant incorporated both intra- and extra granularly. Their granule properties such as bulk and tapped densities, angle of repose, Carr's index, Hausner's ratio and post compression parameters such as friability, hardness, disintegration time and drug release profiles were evaluated. The results showed a decrease in disintegration time with increasing concentration of Pleurotus tuber-regium powder with disintegration times < 3.58 min. There was an increase in hardness (values > 4.34 kp) and a decrease in friability (values < 0.6 %) of the tablets with increasing concentrations of Pleurotus tuber-regium. All the tablets exhibited comparable drug release profiles with over 80 % of their drugs released in 1 h. Harder and less friable fast disintegrating tablets of paracetamol can be obtained with Pleurotus tuber-regium powder in combination with croscarmellose sodium. The combination of croscarmellose sodium and Pleurotus tuber-regium possesses potentiative effect on their disintegrant activity.

Formulation and in vitro release studies of pegylated mucin based matrix tablets

The effects of polymer concentration on the flow properties of granules and in-vitro release profiles from matrix tablets of three model drugs formulated from pegylated mucin base was investigated. Mucin was extracted from the African giant snail and in combination with PEG was used to produce a copolymer matrix base, which was mixed with the model drugs using wet granulation method. The granules and tablets were evaluated according to official and unofficial requirements. Results showed best flow with Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and Chloroquine Phosphate (CQ) granules with Hausner ratio of 1.04-1.2, Carr's index of 4.2-17.5% and angle of repose between 19°-26°. The tablets met B.P specifications with respect to tablet weights, friability and drug content. The release profiles showed faster release of the drug with high content of PEG and a slower release with high concentration of mucin. Pegylated mucin base will find useful application in the development of a wide range of formulations.

Adsorption of Paracetamol and Chloroquine Phosphate by Some Antacids

The adsorption of paracetamol and chloroquine phosphate onto some antacids with adsorptive properties, has been studied. Dissolution of the drugs from commercial tablets was significantly retarded in the presence of the antacids. The adsorption and retardation of dissolution of both drugs by the adsorbent antacids studied followed the rank order magnesium trisilicate &gt; magnesium oxide &gt; aluminium hydroxide &gt; edible clay. The concomitant administration of the drugs and antacid formulations containing any of these should be discouraged.

Public perceptions of community pharmacists in Benin City, Nigeria

Objective

To determine public perceptions of community pharmacists and pharmacies in Benin City, Nigeria.

Method

A self-completion questionnaire was distributed to a stratified random sample of 1,500 households. Data were collected using a 22-item, Likert-type scale which was shown to have 0.77 reliability. The neutral point was assumed to be 66 on the scale of 22 to 110. Scores above 66 were interpreted as positive perception.

Results

The response rate was 68.3 per cent (1,025/1500). Almost two-thirds (64 per cent) of respondents perceived the community pharmacist as a health care provider, and 70 per cent agreed that community pharmacists are needed, especially in the area of medicinal product selection (76 per cent). However, 52 per cent believed pharmacists are profit motivated and only 43 per cent said they would be willing to pay for pharmacist consultation. Respondents reported difficulty in differentiating between pharmacists and pharmacy attendants, with only 58 per cent reporting that they could tell the difference. The pharmacists scored 76.37 ± 27.63, with 60 per cent of respondents scoring them above 66.

Conclusion

This study found that community pharmacists received a moderately positive rating from the public. There is a need for community pharmacists to carve out a more distinct professional identity for themselves.

In vitro assessment of ampicillin capsules marketed in Nigeria

An in vitro characterisation of thirteen brands of 250mg ampicillin capsules available in Nigeria was carried out. Nearly a quarter (3; 23.1 per cent) of the brands tested were substandard. Two brands, one from England, failed the BP identification test for ampicillin and were classed as fakes. Eleven brands passed the BP uniformity of weight and disintegration tests, but only 10 brands passed both the BP content uniformity test and the BP dissolution rate test. Similar dissolution profiles for three brands of ampicillin capsules were obtained with three different pieces of equipment — the BP apparatus, Levy's beaker apparatus and a stationary basket/magnetic stirrer apparatus. The results emphasise the need for routine quality assurance testing of pharmaceuticals before dispensing to patients. The stationary basket/magnetic stirrer dissolution test has the advantage of simplicity and low cost.