Formulation and Evaluation of Microspheres Based on Gelatin-Mucin Admixtures for the Rectal Delivery of Cefuroxime Sodium

Purpose: Swellable microspheres based on polymers or their admixtures are frequently employed as drug delivery systems to achieve a controlled release and site-specific targeting of the incorporated drug. The objective of the present study was to enhance the rectal delivery of cefuroxime sodium by entrapping it into water-swellable gelatin-mucin microspheres. Method: Cefuroxime sodium-loaded microspheres containing admixtures of gelatin and porcine mucin were prepared via an emulsification-crosslinking technique. The drug entrapment efficiency of the microspheres was evaluated in citrate/phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) while the swelling properties was evaluated in both simulated gastric fluid (SGF) without pepsin and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) without pancreatin (pH 1.2). Release of cefuroxime sodium from the microspheres was evaluated in vitro in SIF and further evaluated in vivo after rectal administration to male Wistar rats. Result: Results obtained showed that a high entrapment efficiency, most notably manifested in microspheres formulated with equal portions of gelatin and mucin, led to a high release (up to 85 %) and also a high bioavailability of the incorporated drug. Formulations based on varying portions of gelatin and mucin also showed high drug loading efficiency which also resulted in high drug release in SIF within 3 h. Drug release from the different formulations was observed to be rapid and generally showed a biphasic pattern. The mean AUC was shown to be formulation-dependent with values of 168±1.93µg.h/ml for the control, 262±3.47 µg.h/ml for microspheres based on gelatine only and 328±2.55 µg.h/ml for microspheres formulated with equal parts of gelatin and mucin. Conclusion: The inclusion of S-mucin in the composition of the microspheres has an enhancer effect on the release and rectal bioavailability of cefuroxime sodium which may be exploited in the design of a rectal delivery system of the drug. Keywords: Gelatin-mucin microspheres, cefuroxime sodium, rectal bioavailability. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 6 (4) 2007: pp. 825-83

Evaluation Of Snail Mucin Dispersed In Brachystegia Gum Gel As A Wound Healing Agent

Snail mucin was obtained from the mucilage of Archachatina marginata (Family Arionidae). The wound healing effect of the snail mucin was evaluated wth special attention to the effect when combined with honey in Brachystegia eurychoma gel preparation. Brachystegia eurycoma gum, snail mucin and honey were combined in different concentrations in the treatment of wound madeby excision model in rats. It was observed that mucin when combined with honey and in the Brachystegia eurycoma gel heals faster than when used alone. Brachystegia eurycoma gum was also observed to effect fast healing of the wounds when used alone. Complete healing was observed in 15 days post treatment. Honey in combination with mucin as well as the Brachystegia eurycoma gel should be harnessed in pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of wounds Brachystegia eurycoma gum in right combinations with mucin and honey for wound healing, prevents bacteria infecion, scar formation and promotes regeneration of hair follicles. Keywords: Snail mucin, Honey, Brachystegia eurychoma gum, Gel, Wound healingAnimal Research International Vol. 4 (2) 2007 pp. 685-69

Platelet Response To Methanolic And Aqueous Extracts Of Euphorbia hirta

Euphorbia hirta Linn (Fam: Euphorbiaceae) locally known as ‘ogwu ugwo' (eczema drug) in some Eastern parts of Nigeria is used locally to arrest bleeding in the event of an injury. The extracts (aqueous and methanolic) were administered orally to albino wistar rats. Platelet count, bleeding and clotting times were determined before and at different time intervals after administration of the extracts. The aqueous extract at 60 min reduced bleeding time by 54% compared to 49.5% for methanolic extract and was significant (