EVALUATION OF THE SUSPENDING PROPERTIES OF SHEA TREE GUM

Objective: Shea gum is found in large quantities in the northern part of Ghana. Its use in the pharmaceutical industry has been limited by lack of research into the possible uses of the gum as a pharmaceutical excipient. This study seeks to investigate the use of shea gum as a suspending agent using paracetamol as a model drug.Methods: The crude shea gum was collected, purified and used as a suspending agent to formulate paracetamol suspensions using gum concentrations of 1 %w/v, 2 %w/v, 3 % w/v and 4 % w/v. These suspensions with varying gum concentrations were compared with paracetamol suspensions containing same concentrations of acacia gum. The suspensions were all tested for their apparent viscosity, flow time, sedimentation volume over 42 d and ease of re-dispersibility.Results: The apparent viscosities of both suspensions increased when the gum concentrations were increased. The flow times of the freshly prepared shea gum suspensions increased gradually with increasing concentration of gum. A similar trend was observed for suspensions made with acacia gum. For suspensions made with either gum, the volume of sediments was found to be inversely proportional to the concentration of the gum. However, the volume of sediments increased with time. The ease of re-dispersibility was directly proportional to the concentration of gum in suspensions containing either gum.Conclusion: Shea gum was found to have suspending properties comparable to acacia gum. Shea gum can, therefore, be used in formulating oral suspensions of drugs.Keywords: Suspension, Shea gum, Acacia gu

PHYSICOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND TABLET FORMULATION PROPERTIES OF SHEA TREE GUM

  Objective: This study focused on evaluating the physicochemical and tablet formulation properties of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) gum, using paracetamol as a model drug.Methods: Crude shea gum was purified and the physicochemical properties, namely: Moisture content, insoluble matter, solubility, swelling capacity, viscosity, hydration capacity, flow properties, and metallic ion content evaluated. The binding properties of shea gum (5-20% w/v) were investigated, using acacia gum as a standard binder. The physical properties, in vitro dissolution and dissolution efficiency (DE) of the tablets, were determined. The dissolution data were statistically evaluated using the T-test and the similarity factor (f2).Results: The physicochemical properties of the gum evaluated were found to be satisfactory and within official specifications. Atomic absorption spectrophotometric analysis of the gums showed that the crude gum had higher metallic ion content than the purified gum. The gum purification process caused a substantial reduction (17-74%) in the mineral ion content of shea gum. Granules prepared with shea gum exhibited good flow properties evidenced by their optimal Hausner ratio, angle of repose and Carr's index values. The granule flow properties, as well as the physical properties of shea gum tablets, were similar to that prepared with acacia gum. The DE of both shea gum and acacia gum tablets decreased with increase in binder concentration. Comparative studies on the tablets using DE, T-test and similarity factor (f2), showed that the binding effect of shea gum was comparable to that of acacia gum (p>0.05; f2 ≥50) at the same concentration.Conclusion: Shea tree gum has potential as a binder in pharmaceutical tablet formulations.Keywords: Vitellaria paradoxa, Viscosity, Wet granulation, Tablet binder, Dissolution efficiency, Similarity factorÂ

EFFECT OF STORAGE CONDITIONS ON THE STABILITY OF ASCORBIC ACID IN SOME FORMULATIONS

Objective: The stability of ascorbic acid is affected by temperature, pH, sunlight and the presence of metals like copper and iron.The study seeks to investigate the effect of storage conditions on the stability of ascorbic acid in tablets (buccal tablets) and syrups sampled from the Ghanaian market.Methods: Ascorbic acid tablets were sampled and stored separately at room temperature and under refrigeration (in a fridge) and assayed periodically for 35 d. Ascorbic acid syrups were also sampled and stored at room temperature, in a bowl of water and under refrigeration and also assayed periodically for 35 d. The mode of assay was iodimetry.Results: For both formulations, storage under refrigeration saw the least breakdown and at room temperature, the breakdown of ascorbic acid was greatest. The syrups stored in a bowl of water were more stable than those stored at room temperature. The % breakdown of ascorbic acid in the syrups and tablets stored at room temperature were statistically significant in comparison to that under refrigeration as determined by a T-test. The % breakdown of ascorbic acid in the syrups stored in a bowl of water was not statistically significant in comparison to that under refrigeration.Conclusion: Ascorbic acid formulations should be stored under refrigeration or at low temperatures if possible. In the absence of refrigeration, patients should be advised to store syrups of ascorbic acid in a bowl of water and the tablets at cool places in homes

Spectrum of anxiety and depression reported in reproductive-aged women diagnosed with gynaecological disorders at a tertiary healthcare facility in Ghana

Background: Patients with gynaecological disorders often suffer from psychological disorders including anxiety and depression. Although depression and anxiety have been studied in Ghana, data regarding the prevalence of these disorders in patients with gynaecological disorders is non-existent. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in reproductive-aged women diagnosed with gynaecological disorders.Methods: Cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Gynaecology Clinic of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, a tertiary health facility in Accra, Ghana. Patients of reproductive age seeking gynaecological care at the facility from December 2018 to January 2019 were assessed for anxiety and depression using the Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) questionnaire and the Beck depression inventory (BDI) respectively. Sociodemographic and clinical information was gathered as well.Results: Of the 120 patients interviewed (mean age 34.33±0.66), 36.7% were depressed while 51.6% were reported anxiety disorders. Patients aged 35-45 years had the highest prevalence of anxiety (24.58%) and depression (29.18%). Again, prevalence rates were highest among respondents with senior high school as the highest educational qualification, (anxiety (22.15%); depression (24.20%). Patients suffering from pelvic floor disorder recorded the highest prevalence of anxiety (11.40%) and depression (13.77%). There was a significant association between depression and gynaecological disorders [χ2(25) =53.915, p=0.001, CI=95%], but there was not enough evidence of an association between anxiety and gynaecological disorders [χ2(15) =22.791, p=0.089, CI=95%].Conclusions: Anxiety and depression are prevalent amongst women in their reproductive age diagnosed presenting with gynaecological disorders and there is a significant association between gynaecological disorders and the prevalence of depression

Comparative Quality Evaluation of Selected Brands of Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets Marketed in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

The ever-growing commercialization of poor-quality and substandard medicines, especially anti-infectives characterized by inadequate postmarket surveillance by stakeholders remains a major global health challenge, particularly in developing countries, where antibiotic drug resistance and its repercussions on human health remain dominant. This research sought to evaluate the pharmaceutical quality of six randomly selected brands of cefuroxime axetil tablets (250 mg) marketed in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The selected brands were coded and subjected to both compendial and noncompendial tests. Statistical analysis and model-independent parameter (similarity factor, f2) were employed in analyzing the dissolution profiles of all the brands. All brands including the reference brand conformed to the pharmacopeial specifications for both compendial and noncompendial tests, indicating that they were of good quality. However, there were significant variations (p 50 indicating similarity of their drug release profiles with the innovator. Hence, all the sampled cefuroxime axetil brands can be considered as pharmaceutical equivalents to the innovator drug. These brands can, therefore, be used as a substitute for the innovator drug by physicians to patients in cases of unaffordability or unavailability of the innovator brand

C41 - Investigation of the binding properties of purified Pentadesma butyracea gum: Anatural alternative to a synthetic polymer

Abstract: The focus of most pharmaceutical research in recent times has been the use of natural products like gums as pharmaceutical excipients because they are safer, economical and readily available. This study aimed to investigate the applicability of gum extracted from the exudates from the stem bark of Pentadesma butyracea as a binder in conventional release tablets using acacia gum as a reference polymer. The purified Pentadesma butyracea gum (PBG) was precipitated from the crude gum mucilage using 96% ethanol. Conventional-release paracetamol tablets were formulated using seven (7) different concentrations of the PBG mucilage (0.5 – 6 %w/w) as a binder via wet granulation (PB1 – PB7). The same approach was used for the reference conventional release paracetamol tablets (AC1- AC7). The drug-excipients and excipients-gum compatibility studies were evaluated using the FTIR. The formulated tablets were evaluated using both pharmacopoeia and non-pharmacopoeia tests. Appropriate mathematical models were used to determine the similarity (f2) and the difference (f1) factors of the dissolution profiles of the test and reference formulations. Granules for batches PB1, AC1, PB2, AC2 and AC3 had fair flow properties, whereas the rest had good flow properties. The FTIR studies showed no interactions between the drug and excipients. All formulations passed the pharmacopoeia and non- pharmacopoeia tests except for formulations PB1, PB2, PB3 and AC1 which failed the friability test, PB1 and AC1 which failed the hardness test, and AC7 which also failed the disintegration test. An increase in gum concentration led to a corresponding increase in the mechanical properties of the tablets. A comparative study showed no significant difference in the hardness and tensile strength of the test and reference tablets. All formulations except PB6 were similar to their reference formulations since f1 > 50 and f2 < 15. In conclusion, the PBG exhibited a good binding property comparable to acacia gum