Preparation and Optimization of a Novel Disintegrating Golqand Pellets as a Traditional Persian Pharmacy Formulation: The Path to Be Embarked upon

Introduction: Multi-particulate dosage form of pellet is formed by agglomeration of fine powdered drugs and excipients, leading to free flowing spherical particles. The multi-step process of extrusion & spheronization are mostly applied for preparation of uniformly-sized pellets. Golqand, a product of Traditional Persian Pharmacy containing Rosa damascena Mill petals is a heart and brain tonic, refresher, astringent, and a stomachic. It helps to improve appetite and relieves digestive diseases. Also, Golqand calms down nervous system. Based on traditional texts, it has been produced as a Jam-like preparation, imposing some difficulties in taking and dosing. In this study, we have prepared Golqand in pellet form, a novel solid dosage form and optimized this natural formulation. Methods and Results: In this study, a 20 runs D-optimal method was applied as an experimental design to establish the optimum conditions for Golqand pellet preparation by extruder spheronizer equipment. The preparation process of pellets was optimized by a systematic multi-objective-optimization approach in terms of D- values for the particle size distribution (i.e. D10, D50 & D90) which are the intercepts for 10%, 50% and 90% of the cumulative mass obtained via sieving method. The Model F-value of 6.58 implied the models were significant.  There is only a 0.34% chance that a "Model F-Value" this large could occur due to noise. The R2, adjusted R2, predicted R2, and adequate precision for D50 model were calculated 82%, 72%, 46%, and 10.06, respectively which means that there is a good correlation between parameters and model. Conclusions: In conclusion, presented models conducted us to prepare Golqand pellets with unimodal particle size distribution and pre-defined particle size. Applying pelletization method for Golqand preparation could resolve some critical challenges of natural formulations like taking similar doses

Quality control of Rosa × damascena flowers from Layzangan of Fars province in Iran

Background: Damask rose (DR) with the scientific name of Rosa � damascena Herrm. is a popular medicinal plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. According to the literature, DR cultivation was originally developed in the Layzangan valley, Darab region of Fars province in Iran. Objective: In this study, quality control and standardization of Layazangan DR flowers were investigated. Methods: Histological, physicochemical, and heavy metal analysis as well as the chromatographic fingerprints including GC-MS and HPLC analysis were studied. Results: According to the microscopic observations, secretory and simple trichromes in sepal, rosette crystals in ovule, and the tricolporate shape of pollen grain were found to be the major characteristics in DR flowers. The results of heavy metal analysis revealed that the amounts of zinc (82.5 ppm), copper (4.02 ppm), lead (0.11 ppm), and cadmium (not detected) were less than maximum permitted amounts. The essential oil of fresh petals was obtained by hydro-distillation and was analyzed by GC-MS method. Twenty-three components were identified representing 98.66 of the total essential oil composition. Citronellol (41.44 ), nonadecane (16.44 ), and heneicosane (10.58 ) were the main components. According to HPLC analysis results, quercetin was determined as 7300.5 μg/g dried DR petals. Conclusion: The essential oil obtained from Layzangan DR is rich in citronellol compound. On the other hand, the diagnostic characteristics presented in this study can help in better quality control and standardization of DR samples. It could also provide information for the authentication of relevant undeclared samples as well as the detection of adulterated materials