Te development of a raw material into an acceptable pharmaceutical excipient involves evaluation ... more Te development of a raw material into an acceptable pharmaceutical excipient involves evaluation of the physicochemical and formulation properties of the potential raw material. Results from these evaluations may serve as a guide to subsequent use of the substance. Te objective of the study was to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the stem bark gum of Cordia millenii tree in conventional release paracetamol tablets. From the physicochemical evaluations, the gum was slightly acidic and soluble in all the aqueous-based solvents, except 0.1 N HCl in which it was sparingly soluble. All the absorptive properties of the gum indicated tablet disintegrating potential for tablet formulation. Te total ash of the gum was higher than that of the international standard gum arabic. Micromeritic properties of the gum indicated the need for a fow aid to improve its fowability. Tere were no harmful microorganisms detected in the gum. Aerobic organisms and moulds and yeast were detected within permissible limits. Tablets formulated using six diferent concentrations of gum dispersions as a binder were generally soft and failed the USP T 80 standard of dissolution, indicating poor binding and drug releasing properties. Quality control properties of three diferent batches of tablets containing varying concentrations of the dry gum as a disintegrating agent were comparable to tablets containing equal concentrations of corn starch. Te in vitro drug releases were similar at all-time points of drug evaluation. Te gum can therefore be considered as a good disintegrant in the formulation of conventional release tablets.
Chemical (HE and WL) and electrochemical (PDP and EIS) measurements were applied to evaluate the ... more Chemical (HE and WL) and electrochemical (PDP and EIS) measurements were applied to evaluate the potential of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves (AEHSL) for inhibiting the corrosion of Al in 0.5 M NaOH. It was found that the inhibition efficiency increases with the increase of AEHSL concentration. Electrochemical measurements revealed that AEHSL acts as a mixedtype inhibitor with inhibition category that belongs to geometric blocking. Adsorption of inhibitor species was found to follow Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models and the ability of AEHSL species to be adsorbed physically on the Al surface was illustrated by Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm parameters. The data obtained from chemical and electrochemical measurements are in reasonably good agreement. Physical adsorption mechanism of AEHSl species on Al surface in 0.5 M NaOH becomes clear cut by following the trend of inhibitor adsorption with solution temperature. Good correlation between AEHSL water-soluble constituents and the suggested physical adsorption mechanism was obtained. Moreover, at a certain concentration of AEHSL (1.00 g L-1), the Al surface coverage increases with the increase of NaOH concentration up to 0.5 M after which limited decrease was obtained with further increase in NaOH concentration.
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
The study sought to transform Asena herbal decoction produced by the Centre for Scientific Resear... more The study sought to transform Asena herbal decoction produced by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM), Mampong-Akwapim, Ghana, into oral capsules. Asena decoction is a popular herbal remedy used in Ghana for the treatment of arthritis and generalized body pains. The amount of dry extract per dose (30ml) of Asena decoction was 402.3 ± 2.5 mg. The wavelength of maximum absorption (λ max) of aqueous solutions of Asena extract was determined to be 278 nm. Light magnesium carbonate, maize starch and bentonite were used as absorbents at five different weights (40, 80, 160, 180 and 200 mg /dose) of Asena decoction to prepare granules of the extract. The granules prepared generally had good flow properties. The dissolution profiles of the formulated granules were determined by UV-Visible spectrophotometry. Maize starch (87.45 ± 1.82 % -97.19 ± 1.46 %) and bentonite (83.94 ± 1.69 % -98.15 ± 1.96 %) showed very good release of the extract in aqueous medium while ligh...
Candidiasis is caused by the fungus candida and affects various parts of the body especially the ... more Candidiasis is caused by the fungus candida and affects various parts of the body especially the vagina and the mouth. G-Rea® is a herbal mixture marketed in Ghana for the treatment of various candida infections. G-Rea® is prepared from various parts of four Ghanaian medicinal plants, namely: Hoslundia opposita, Alstonia boonei, Combretum smeathmanii and Securidaca longepedunculata. The current study was to compare the physicochemical and pharmaceutical characteristics of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of these plants and to develop them into vaginal pessaries and oral gels. Dried aqueous (A) and ethanolic (E) extracts were prepared by decoction and cold maceration respectively, and their physicochemical and antimicrobial properties were investigated. Extract (E) was formulated into oral gels and vaginal pessaries using glycerogelatine and theobroma oil as bases. The quality and antimicrobial properties of the formulations were evaluated against a number of microbes. A higher yield ...
Background: Non-adherence to therapy is a major reason for the low control rate of hypertension i... more Background: Non-adherence to therapy is a major reason for the low control rate of hypertension in Ghana today. Sustained release (SR) antihypertensive preparations are useful in promoting adherence to therapy because of the reduced daily dosing frequency, stable drug levels and reduced toxicity which enhances compliance. One major concern about SR antihypertensives is whether they can be substituted with one another to produce the same effect. Objectives: This study sought to determine the preferences of physicians and patients for various SR antihypertensive medications in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. The views of the respondents on whether the brands of the most used SR antihypertensive were therapeutically equivalent and interchangeable were ascertained. Methods: Seventy-three (73) community pharmacies, 66 doctors and 150 patients in 50 public, private and mission hospitals and clinics within the Kumasi metropolis were purposively sampled. Respondents were interviewed via int...
Oral dissolvable films (ODFs) of diclofenac sodium intended for osteoarthritis were prepared usin... more Oral dissolvable films (ODFs) of diclofenac sodium intended for osteoarthritis were prepared using Albizia and Khaya gums as hydrophilic film formers. The physicochemical properties of the gums were characterized and the gums were used to prepare diclofenac sodium ODFs (~50 mg/4 cm2 film) by solvent casting. The two gums showed satisfactory film forming properties. The physicomechanical properties, drug-excipient compatibility, and in vitro drug release of the films in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 were studied. Khaya gum had higher extraction yield, moisture content, insoluble matter and true density while Albizia gum showed greater swelling capacity, solubility, and minerals content. The ODFs were thin, soft, and flexible with smooth glossy surfaces and possessed satisfactory physicomechanical properties. FTIR studies showed that no interaction occurred between the drug and the gums. The ODFs disintegrated in <45 s achieved >75% drug release within 7 min with dissolution efficienc...
Aim: A comparative evaluation of the physicochemical and in vitro dissolution properties of metfo... more Aim: A comparative evaluation of the physicochemical and in vitro dissolution properties of metformin hydrochloride tablet brands sampled in five cities in Ghana was undertaken to assess their pharmaceutical equivalence.
Aim: A comparative evaluation of the physicochemical and in vitro dissolution properties of metfo... more Aim: A comparative evaluation of the physicochemical and in vitro dissolution properties of metformin hydrochloride tablet brands sampled in five cities in Ghana was undertaken to assess their pharmaceutical equivalence.
The aim of this study was to assess the dissolution properties of twelve sustained release (SR) n... more The aim of this study was to assess the dissolution properties of twelve sustained release (SR) nifedipine tablet brands, including 20 mg and 30 mg innovator brands, for possible generic substitution. The tablet brands were purchased from retail pharmacies in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. The weight uniformity, drug content and in vitro dissolution of the tablets in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 were evaluated. The dissolution data were compared using the similarity (f2) and difference (f1) factors, and the USP acceptance criteria for SR tablets. The kinetics of drug release from the tablets was also evaluated. All the brands passed the weight uniformity test. Nine brands (75 %) passed the drug content test while three brands (25 %) failed. The two innovator nifedipine SR brands passed all the tests undertaken. Comparison of the dissolution data using f1 and f2 showed that all three 30 mg nifedipine SR brands were dissimilar to the innovator brand. Also, two 20 mg nifedipine SR brands (28.6 %) were similar or bioequivalent with the innovator 20 mg brand while five brands (71. 4 %) were dissimilar. Three (75 %) 30 mg and four (50 %) 20 mg nifedipine SR brands exhibited appropriate drug release profiles based on the USP acceptance criteria. Drug release from the twelve tablet brands mostly followed the Higuchi kinetic model (58.3 %) followed by the Hixson-Crowell model (16.7 %). Only one brand (N7) exhibited constant drug release kinetics. Results from the study have shown that switching or substituting brands of SR nifedipine for patients should be guided by a critical assessment of the dissolution data using appropriate evaluation techniques.
Background: Non-adherence to therapy is a major reason for the low control rate of hypertension i... more Background: Non-adherence to therapy is a major reason for the low control rate of hypertension in Ghana today. Sustained release (SR) antihypertensive preparations are useful in promoting adherence to therapy because of the reduced daily dosing frequency, stable drug levels and reduced toxicity which enhances compliance. One major concern about SR antihypertensives is whether they can be substituted with one another to produce the same effect. Objectives: This study sought to determine the preferences of physicians and patients for various SR antihypertensive medications in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. The views of the respondents on whether the brands of the most used SR antihypertensive were therapeutically equivalent and interchangeable were ascertained. Methods: Seventy-three (73) community pharmacies, 66 doctors and 150 patients in 50 public, private and mission hospitals and clinics within the Kumasi metropolis were purposively sampled. Respondents were interviewed via int...
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Administering the right doses of oral liquid medications is crucial to achieving therapeutic goal... more Administering the right doses of oral liquid medications is crucial to achieving therapeutic goals. These doses are measured with household spoons and dosing devices enclosed in product packages. We investigated the types of household spoons currently available, the types and extent of inclusion of dosing devices in oral liquid product packages and assessed the accuracy, quality, reliability and acceptability of the household spoons and enclosed devices in dosing oral liquid medications. Close to half (46 %) of orthodox and almost all (97 %) herbal oral liquid remedies in the Ghanaian market did not have enclosed dosing devices and will require the use of other devices mostly household spoons to deliver the required doses in their administration. Many people (95 %) used household spoons in dosing oral liquid medications and some (39 %) actually preferred them to enclosed dosing devices. The household spoons were mostly teaspoons and dessertspoons; tablespoons were very rare. Aside o...
The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate the physical properties of two tablet formula... more The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate the physical properties of two tablet formulations of metformin and paracetamol intended for fast disintegration and release in the gastrointestinal tract. The tablet formulations were prepared using similar excipients and manufacturing procedure in a local manufacturing site in Ghana over a ten (10) month period. The moisture content, angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, hausner ratio, and Carr's index of granulates of the two formulations prepared by wet granulation was determined. The physical properties of the compressed tablets, namely; uniformity of weight, drug content, friability, disintegration time, crushing strength, tensile strength and dissolution were assessed. The tablet quality index of the formulations was evaluated using the crushing strength-friability/disintegration time (CSFR/DT) ratio. Granulates of both tablet formulations had good flow properties. The paracetamol tablets had lower crushing strength and disintegration time (p < 0.05) than metformin tablets. However, paracetamol tablets possessed higher friability and tensile strength (p < 0.05) than metformin tablets. The paracetamol tablets had higher tablet quality index (CSFR/DT) values than metformin tablets, indicating a better balance between the binding and disintegration properties of paracetamol tablets than metformin tablets. The variation in the physical properties of the two tablet formulations could be attributed to the differences in the physicochemical properties of the two drug substances.
Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research
The mechanical and coating properties of cashew gum-based films, using paracetamol as a model dru... more The mechanical and coating properties of cashew gum-based films, using paracetamol as a model drug, was investigated. Cashew gum was acidic and the acidity did not markedly change with concentration and storage time. However, gum viscosity increased significantly with concentration and storage time. Swelling index of the gum was ~ 3.3 and was largely unaffected by pH of media used. Free films of cashew gum, cashew gum/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and cashew gum/ carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were prepared by solvent casting using glycerol as a plasticizer and the folding endurance, tensile strength, percentage elongation and Young’s modulus of the films determined. Cashew gum films were smooth, uniform and transparent while cashew gum/HPMC and cashew gum/CMC films lacked uniformity and surface smoothness, respectively. Addition of a plasticizer to the gum imparted flexibility to the films. Increase in cashew gum and plasticizer concentration increased the folding endurance ...
Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research
Objective: This study focused on evaluating the physicochemical and tablet formulation properties... more 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 pur...
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Cashew gum was investigated as a potential emulsifying and suspending agent in pharmaceutical for... more Cashew gum was investigated as a potential emulsifying and suspending agent in pharmaceutical formulations. The microbial quality of the purified gum was higher than the crude gum. Both crude and purified gum (20 – 50 % w/v) showed no antimicrobial activity against a number of pathogenic bacteria and fungi tested. The emulsifying property of the purified gum was investigated by preparation of emulsions using different classes of oils and employing the wet and dry gum methods. The ratio of oil to water to gum needed for the preparation of stable primary emulsions was determined. All the primary emulsions prepared creamed readily on dilution. The stability of paraffin oil emulsions was assessed and reduction in creaming was attempted through homogenization, addition of a surfactant and a thickening agent. Addition of a small quantity of Tween 80 (0.0125– 0.015 % v/v) which is greater than the critical micelle concentration of the surfactant stabilised the emulsions. Homogenisation and...
The study aimed to develop oral capsules from Enterica herbal decoction used in Ghana for the tre... more The study aimed to develop oral capsules from Enterica herbal decoction used in Ghana for the treatment of typhoid fever and produced by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM). The amount of dry extract per dose (30ml) of Enterica and the wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax) of aqueous solutions of Enterica extract were determined. Light magnesium carbonate (LMC) and maize starch (MS) were employed as absorbents at various concentrations in the preparation of granules of the extract. The % loss in weight, size distribution and flow properties of the granules were evaluated. Enterica oral capsules were formulated using LMC at 22 mg/dose of extract and the dissolution properties of the granules and capsules were determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometry. The dry Enterica extract/dose was 190.1 ± 0.12 mg and λmax was 356 nm. The loss of granules was 2.07-7.31 %w/w for LMC and 2.73-7.81 %w/w for MS. LMC granules (22 mg/dose) prepared for encapsulation exhibited good flow properties. The granules for encapsulation exhibited optimal release of extract (86.08 ± 1.64 % at 45 min) in aqueous medium. The formulated capsules passed the British Pharmacopoeia uniformity of weight, disintegration and dissolution tests. Enterica oral capsules can be used as a substitute for Enterica decoction for the treatment of typhoid fever.
Te development of a raw material into an acceptable pharmaceutical excipient involves evaluation ... more Te development of a raw material into an acceptable pharmaceutical excipient involves evaluation of the physicochemical and formulation properties of the potential raw material. Results from these evaluations may serve as a guide to subsequent use of the substance. Te objective of the study was to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the stem bark gum of Cordia millenii tree in conventional release paracetamol tablets. From the physicochemical evaluations, the gum was slightly acidic and soluble in all the aqueous-based solvents, except 0.1 N HCl in which it was sparingly soluble. All the absorptive properties of the gum indicated tablet disintegrating potential for tablet formulation. Te total ash of the gum was higher than that of the international standard gum arabic. Micromeritic properties of the gum indicated the need for a fow aid to improve its fowability. Tere were no harmful microorganisms detected in the gum. Aerobic organisms and moulds and yeast were detected within permissible limits. Tablets formulated using six diferent concentrations of gum dispersions as a binder were generally soft and failed the USP T 80 standard of dissolution, indicating poor binding and drug releasing properties. Quality control properties of three diferent batches of tablets containing varying concentrations of the dry gum as a disintegrating agent were comparable to tablets containing equal concentrations of corn starch. Te in vitro drug releases were similar at all-time points of drug evaluation. Te gum can therefore be considered as a good disintegrant in the formulation of conventional release tablets.
Chemical (HE and WL) and electrochemical (PDP and EIS) measurements were applied to evaluate the ... more Chemical (HE and WL) and electrochemical (PDP and EIS) measurements were applied to evaluate the potential of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves (AEHSL) for inhibiting the corrosion of Al in 0.5 M NaOH. It was found that the inhibition efficiency increases with the increase of AEHSL concentration. Electrochemical measurements revealed that AEHSL acts as a mixedtype inhibitor with inhibition category that belongs to geometric blocking. Adsorption of inhibitor species was found to follow Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models and the ability of AEHSL species to be adsorbed physically on the Al surface was illustrated by Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm parameters. The data obtained from chemical and electrochemical measurements are in reasonably good agreement. Physical adsorption mechanism of AEHSl species on Al surface in 0.5 M NaOH becomes clear cut by following the trend of inhibitor adsorption with solution temperature. Good correlation between AEHSL water-soluble constituents and the suggested physical adsorption mechanism was obtained. Moreover, at a certain concentration of AEHSL (1.00 g L-1), the Al surface coverage increases with the increase of NaOH concentration up to 0.5 M after which limited decrease was obtained with further increase in NaOH concentration.
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
The study sought to transform Asena herbal decoction produced by the Centre for Scientific Resear... more The study sought to transform Asena herbal decoction produced by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM), Mampong-Akwapim, Ghana, into oral capsules. Asena decoction is a popular herbal remedy used in Ghana for the treatment of arthritis and generalized body pains. The amount of dry extract per dose (30ml) of Asena decoction was 402.3 ± 2.5 mg. The wavelength of maximum absorption (λ max) of aqueous solutions of Asena extract was determined to be 278 nm. Light magnesium carbonate, maize starch and bentonite were used as absorbents at five different weights (40, 80, 160, 180 and 200 mg /dose) of Asena decoction to prepare granules of the extract. The granules prepared generally had good flow properties. The dissolution profiles of the formulated granules were determined by UV-Visible spectrophotometry. Maize starch (87.45 ± 1.82 % -97.19 ± 1.46 %) and bentonite (83.94 ± 1.69 % -98.15 ± 1.96 %) showed very good release of the extract in aqueous medium while ligh...
Candidiasis is caused by the fungus candida and affects various parts of the body especially the ... more Candidiasis is caused by the fungus candida and affects various parts of the body especially the vagina and the mouth. G-Rea® is a herbal mixture marketed in Ghana for the treatment of various candida infections. G-Rea® is prepared from various parts of four Ghanaian medicinal plants, namely: Hoslundia opposita, Alstonia boonei, Combretum smeathmanii and Securidaca longepedunculata. The current study was to compare the physicochemical and pharmaceutical characteristics of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of these plants and to develop them into vaginal pessaries and oral gels. Dried aqueous (A) and ethanolic (E) extracts were prepared by decoction and cold maceration respectively, and their physicochemical and antimicrobial properties were investigated. Extract (E) was formulated into oral gels and vaginal pessaries using glycerogelatine and theobroma oil as bases. The quality and antimicrobial properties of the formulations were evaluated against a number of microbes. A higher yield ...
Background: Non-adherence to therapy is a major reason for the low control rate of hypertension i... more Background: Non-adherence to therapy is a major reason for the low control rate of hypertension in Ghana today. Sustained release (SR) antihypertensive preparations are useful in promoting adherence to therapy because of the reduced daily dosing frequency, stable drug levels and reduced toxicity which enhances compliance. One major concern about SR antihypertensives is whether they can be substituted with one another to produce the same effect. Objectives: This study sought to determine the preferences of physicians and patients for various SR antihypertensive medications in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. The views of the respondents on whether the brands of the most used SR antihypertensive were therapeutically equivalent and interchangeable were ascertained. Methods: Seventy-three (73) community pharmacies, 66 doctors and 150 patients in 50 public, private and mission hospitals and clinics within the Kumasi metropolis were purposively sampled. Respondents were interviewed via int...
Oral dissolvable films (ODFs) of diclofenac sodium intended for osteoarthritis were prepared usin... more Oral dissolvable films (ODFs) of diclofenac sodium intended for osteoarthritis were prepared using Albizia and Khaya gums as hydrophilic film formers. The physicochemical properties of the gums were characterized and the gums were used to prepare diclofenac sodium ODFs (~50 mg/4 cm2 film) by solvent casting. The two gums showed satisfactory film forming properties. The physicomechanical properties, drug-excipient compatibility, and in vitro drug release of the films in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 were studied. Khaya gum had higher extraction yield, moisture content, insoluble matter and true density while Albizia gum showed greater swelling capacity, solubility, and minerals content. The ODFs were thin, soft, and flexible with smooth glossy surfaces and possessed satisfactory physicomechanical properties. FTIR studies showed that no interaction occurred between the drug and the gums. The ODFs disintegrated in <45 s achieved >75% drug release within 7 min with dissolution efficienc...
Aim: A comparative evaluation of the physicochemical and in vitro dissolution properties of metfo... more Aim: A comparative evaluation of the physicochemical and in vitro dissolution properties of metformin hydrochloride tablet brands sampled in five cities in Ghana was undertaken to assess their pharmaceutical equivalence.
Aim: A comparative evaluation of the physicochemical and in vitro dissolution properties of metfo... more Aim: A comparative evaluation of the physicochemical and in vitro dissolution properties of metformin hydrochloride tablet brands sampled in five cities in Ghana was undertaken to assess their pharmaceutical equivalence.
The aim of this study was to assess the dissolution properties of twelve sustained release (SR) n... more The aim of this study was to assess the dissolution properties of twelve sustained release (SR) nifedipine tablet brands, including 20 mg and 30 mg innovator brands, for possible generic substitution. The tablet brands were purchased from retail pharmacies in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. The weight uniformity, drug content and in vitro dissolution of the tablets in phosphate buffer pH 6.8 were evaluated. The dissolution data were compared using the similarity (f2) and difference (f1) factors, and the USP acceptance criteria for SR tablets. The kinetics of drug release from the tablets was also evaluated. All the brands passed the weight uniformity test. Nine brands (75 %) passed the drug content test while three brands (25 %) failed. The two innovator nifedipine SR brands passed all the tests undertaken. Comparison of the dissolution data using f1 and f2 showed that all three 30 mg nifedipine SR brands were dissimilar to the innovator brand. Also, two 20 mg nifedipine SR brands (28.6 %) were similar or bioequivalent with the innovator 20 mg brand while five brands (71. 4 %) were dissimilar. Three (75 %) 30 mg and four (50 %) 20 mg nifedipine SR brands exhibited appropriate drug release profiles based on the USP acceptance criteria. Drug release from the twelve tablet brands mostly followed the Higuchi kinetic model (58.3 %) followed by the Hixson-Crowell model (16.7 %). Only one brand (N7) exhibited constant drug release kinetics. Results from the study have shown that switching or substituting brands of SR nifedipine for patients should be guided by a critical assessment of the dissolution data using appropriate evaluation techniques.
Background: Non-adherence to therapy is a major reason for the low control rate of hypertension i... more Background: Non-adherence to therapy is a major reason for the low control rate of hypertension in Ghana today. Sustained release (SR) antihypertensive preparations are useful in promoting adherence to therapy because of the reduced daily dosing frequency, stable drug levels and reduced toxicity which enhances compliance. One major concern about SR antihypertensives is whether they can be substituted with one another to produce the same effect. Objectives: This study sought to determine the preferences of physicians and patients for various SR antihypertensive medications in the Kumasi metropolis of Ghana. The views of the respondents on whether the brands of the most used SR antihypertensive were therapeutically equivalent and interchangeable were ascertained. Methods: Seventy-three (73) community pharmacies, 66 doctors and 150 patients in 50 public, private and mission hospitals and clinics within the Kumasi metropolis were purposively sampled. Respondents were interviewed via int...
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Administering the right doses of oral liquid medications is crucial to achieving therapeutic goal... more Administering the right doses of oral liquid medications is crucial to achieving therapeutic goals. These doses are measured with household spoons and dosing devices enclosed in product packages. We investigated the types of household spoons currently available, the types and extent of inclusion of dosing devices in oral liquid product packages and assessed the accuracy, quality, reliability and acceptability of the household spoons and enclosed devices in dosing oral liquid medications. Close to half (46 %) of orthodox and almost all (97 %) herbal oral liquid remedies in the Ghanaian market did not have enclosed dosing devices and will require the use of other devices mostly household spoons to deliver the required doses in their administration. Many people (95 %) used household spoons in dosing oral liquid medications and some (39 %) actually preferred them to enclosed dosing devices. The household spoons were mostly teaspoons and dessertspoons; tablespoons were very rare. Aside o...
The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate the physical properties of two tablet formula... more The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate the physical properties of two tablet formulations of metformin and paracetamol intended for fast disintegration and release in the gastrointestinal tract. The tablet formulations were prepared using similar excipients and manufacturing procedure in a local manufacturing site in Ghana over a ten (10) month period. The moisture content, angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, hausner ratio, and Carr's index of granulates of the two formulations prepared by wet granulation was determined. The physical properties of the compressed tablets, namely; uniformity of weight, drug content, friability, disintegration time, crushing strength, tensile strength and dissolution were assessed. The tablet quality index of the formulations was evaluated using the crushing strength-friability/disintegration time (CSFR/DT) ratio. Granulates of both tablet formulations had good flow properties. The paracetamol tablets had lower crushing strength and disintegration time (p < 0.05) than metformin tablets. However, paracetamol tablets possessed higher friability and tensile strength (p < 0.05) than metformin tablets. The paracetamol tablets had higher tablet quality index (CSFR/DT) values than metformin tablets, indicating a better balance between the binding and disintegration properties of paracetamol tablets than metformin tablets. The variation in the physical properties of the two tablet formulations could be attributed to the differences in the physicochemical properties of the two drug substances.
Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research
The mechanical and coating properties of cashew gum-based films, using paracetamol as a model dru... more The mechanical and coating properties of cashew gum-based films, using paracetamol as a model drug, was investigated. Cashew gum was acidic and the acidity did not markedly change with concentration and storage time. However, gum viscosity increased significantly with concentration and storage time. Swelling index of the gum was ~ 3.3 and was largely unaffected by pH of media used. Free films of cashew gum, cashew gum/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and cashew gum/ carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were prepared by solvent casting using glycerol as a plasticizer and the folding endurance, tensile strength, percentage elongation and Young’s modulus of the films determined. Cashew gum films were smooth, uniform and transparent while cashew gum/HPMC and cashew gum/CMC films lacked uniformity and surface smoothness, respectively. Addition of a plasticizer to the gum imparted flexibility to the films. Increase in cashew gum and plasticizer concentration increased the folding endurance ...
Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research
Objective: This study focused on evaluating the physicochemical and tablet formulation properties... more 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 pur...
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Cashew gum was investigated as a potential emulsifying and suspending agent in pharmaceutical for... more Cashew gum was investigated as a potential emulsifying and suspending agent in pharmaceutical formulations. The microbial quality of the purified gum was higher than the crude gum. Both crude and purified gum (20 – 50 % w/v) showed no antimicrobial activity against a number of pathogenic bacteria and fungi tested. The emulsifying property of the purified gum was investigated by preparation of emulsions using different classes of oils and employing the wet and dry gum methods. The ratio of oil to water to gum needed for the preparation of stable primary emulsions was determined. All the primary emulsions prepared creamed readily on dilution. The stability of paraffin oil emulsions was assessed and reduction in creaming was attempted through homogenization, addition of a surfactant and a thickening agent. Addition of a small quantity of Tween 80 (0.0125– 0.015 % v/v) which is greater than the critical micelle concentration of the surfactant stabilised the emulsions. Homogenisation and...
The study aimed to develop oral capsules from Enterica herbal decoction used in Ghana for the tre... more The study aimed to develop oral capsules from Enterica herbal decoction used in Ghana for the treatment of typhoid fever and produced by the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM). The amount of dry extract per dose (30ml) of Enterica and the wavelength of maximum absorption (λmax) of aqueous solutions of Enterica extract were determined. Light magnesium carbonate (LMC) and maize starch (MS) were employed as absorbents at various concentrations in the preparation of granules of the extract. The % loss in weight, size distribution and flow properties of the granules were evaluated. Enterica oral capsules were formulated using LMC at 22 mg/dose of extract and the dissolution properties of the granules and capsules were determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometry. The dry Enterica extract/dose was 190.1 ± 0.12 mg and λmax was 356 nm. The loss of granules was 2.07-7.31 %w/w for LMC and 2.73-7.81 %w/w for MS. LMC granules (22 mg/dose) prepared for encapsulation exhibited good flow properties. The granules for encapsulation exhibited optimal release of extract (86.08 ± 1.64 % at 45 min) in aqueous medium. The formulated capsules passed the British Pharmacopoeia uniformity of weight, disintegration and dissolution tests. Enterica oral capsules can be used as a substitute for Enterica decoction for the treatment of typhoid fever.
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