DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICS AND PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY

PURPOSE: A dispersion containing indispersible solids undergo rapid sedimentation and this makes it difficult to withdraw uniform and consistent dosing. Aim: Hence the aim of this study is to evaluate the gum extracted from Chrysophyllum albidum fruit as a suspending agent in the formulation of magnesium trisilicate and light magnesium carbonate suspension in comparison with acacia gum as a standard. Methods: The gum was extracted from the pulp of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit by precipitation with methanol and dried into powder form at room temperature for 3 days. The resulting powdered gum was subjected to physiochemical characterization and its organoleptic properties. Varying concentration (5-20%w/v) of the gum were employed in the formulation of mist magnesium trisilicate and carbonate suspension respectively and the resulting suspension were evaluated for sedimentation rates, flow rate and redispersibility index over seven days of storage respectively. Results: The viscosity indices obtained for gums were 9.38-50.33 (C.albidum) and 6.12-39.50 (A.senegal) at varying concentration 5-20%w/v respectively. Viscosity of the suspension were concentration dependent; an increase in concentration lead to corresponding increase in viscosity. The suspension displayed a decrease in sedimentation rate with increase in concentration of the gum and this is in tandem with stokes law. The results of the flow rate of freshly made suspension showed a corresponding decrease in flow rate as gum concentration increased 1.25-0.08ml/s (C.albidum) and 1.67-0.10ml/s, (A.senegal) and this affect was more marked with C.albidum. Both gums displayed similar redispersibility indices and again this was concentration dependent. Conclusion: The study showed that the gum obtained from Chrysophyllum albidum compares favourably with Acacia gum as a suspending agents in the formulation of pharmaceutical dispersion and hence they can be substituted as suspending agents in pharmaceutical suspension. From the study, research should be carried out on improved and a better method for the extraction of gum from Chrysophyllum albidum fruits.

Background: Aloe vera gel, like other natural products, is prone to microbial contamination hence highlighting the need for effective stabilization to enhance its shelf life. This study Evaluate the stability of Aloe vera gel as a potential pulp mummifying agent and also investigates its antimicrobial activity against oral pathogen. Method: Fresh Aloe vera leaves (105.84 g) were harvested, thoroughly washed with distilled water, and filleted to remove the outer rind. The inner mucilaginous gel was scooped into a beaker, homogenized, and filtered to obtain 60 ml of clear Aloe vera sap. This extract was incorporated into different gel bases prepared using varying concentrations of Carbopol 990, Sodium Carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC), Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and Gelatin. Calculated amounts of Tween 80, Vitamin E, Methyl paraben, and Propyl paraben were added. The Carbopol-based gels were neutralized with Triethanolamine to a pH of 6–7 to achieve optimal consistency. All formulations were evaluated for physicochemical properties including pH, viscosity, density for a period of 8 weeks and antimicrobial evaluation was carried out against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The gels were stored for two months, and the physiochemical parameters were re-evaluated after 4 and 8 weeks; variations over time were an index of their stability Results: pH values of the various formulation ranged between 3.69 ± 0.00 and 7.83 ± 0.00, with most formulations within the physiological range of 5.5–8.0. Carbopol gels showed excellent pH stability, HPMC formulations became slightly more acidic over time, while Na-CMC and Gelatin gels exhibited an alkaline change over time. Viscosity values ranged from 4.38 ± 0.01 to 17.10 ± 0.14 mPa·s. Carbopol gels retained consistency, HPMC gels demonstrated a slight increase, whereas Na-CMC and Gelatin formulations demonstrated viscosity loss during storage. The Specific gravity ranged from 0.9984 to 1.0217 g/ml, indicating good physical uniformity across all formulations. The Antimicrobial testing revealed no inhibitory zones for Aloe vera gel or sap against the tested organisms, while formocresol showed a 55 mm inhibition zone. Conclusion: Carbopol-based formulations exhibited superior stability in both pH and viscosity, making them the most suitable gelling agents for Aloe vera dental gels. Although the formulations showed no antimicrobial activity, their favorable physicochemical properties indicate potential for dental therapeutic applications. Further long-term stability studies are recommended.

Background: Herbal teas, also known as tisanes, are beverages prepared by infusing plants or plant parts such as seeds, bark, leaves, flowers, dried nuts, fruits, and grasses into hot water, producing a distinct taste with various health benefits. Insufficient comparative analysis exists for commonly consumed herbal teas in Nigeria, regarding antioxidant activity, organoleptic, and physicochemical parameters. The purpose of this study is to conduct an in vitro evaluation of organoleptic, physicochemical, and antioxidant properties of selected herbal teas. Method: Ten herbal tea brands (Ginseng tea, Adams Moringa tea, Organic Immune System Booster, 3 Ballerina Tea, Legend Tea and Herbs, Qualitea, Top Tea, Lipton, Costa Tea, and Richmond) were selected from supermarkets and local markets in Edo state, Nigeria. The selected herbal teas were assessed for their organoleptic and physicochemical properties (pH, moisture content, and specific gravity). In the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay, the absorbance at 517 nm of the herbal teas brewed at different temperatures (95, 28, and 10℃) was determined using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The percentage inhibition was calculated, and the results were recorded. Result: The organoleptic properties of the herbal tea brew were fresh and within acceptable sensory limits. The pH determination shows that the herbal teas have pH values within the acidic range (<7), from 4.83 to 6.03. From the test carried out, the moisture content ranged from 3.4% to 8.5% (<10%). The specific gravity determination showed that the teas have specific gravity similar to that of water (1.000 g/mL), ranging from 0.92 to 1.02 g/mL. The DPPH radical scavenging assay shows that the percentage inhibition of the teas brewed at 95℃ ranged from 0 to 83.46%. The percentage inhibition of the teas brewed at 28℃ ranged from 59.04 to 82.02%, and the percentage inhibition of teas brewed at 10℃ ranged from 65.52 to 84.62%. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the analyzed herbal teas met the basic quality requirements. The majority of the herbal teas exhibited high antioxidant activity (high percentage inhibition) when brewed at lower temperatures. Costa tea did not show activity at 95℃.

Purpose: The study was carried out to evaluate public knowledge and dosage form preferences among adult participants, assess patient’s choices of dosage forms in drug therapy and demonstrate the association of the respondent demographic variables and dosage form preference. Methods: This study focused on the general population. A pre-tested standardized questionnaire was converted to Google form and distributed to various social media platforms including Instagram, X, WhatsApp and Facebook in March, 2024. Participants were encouraged to provide answers to the questions until over 500 responses were recorded. Responses were evaluated for demographics, knowledge and choices associated with their use of drug dosage forms. Results: The analysis of the association between demographic variables and patients' dosage form preferences showed that participants exhibited varying preferences with statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) for specific dosage forms. Educational status, religion, and occupation demonstrated no significant association (p > 0.05) with dosage form preferences, suggesting that patients' educational backgrounds, religion, and occupation may not be decisive factors in determining their preferences. Participants’ income however demonstrated a statistically significant association (p = 0.020) with dosage form preferences, suggesting that individuals with different income levels may have distinct preferences for specific dosage forms. Overall, these findings underscore the complexity of factors influencing dosage form preferences and emphasize the importance of personalized approaches in medication formulations to cater to the diverse needs of patient populations.Conclusion: Considering diverse demographic factors and individual preferences in formulating medications influences patients choices and compliance

Background: The selection of suspending agents in pharmaceutical formulations is often guided
by trial-and-error or historical precedent, rather than systematic rheological characterization. This approach can lead to suboptimal formulations, resulting in issues such as sedimentation, poor redispersibility, or excessive viscosity, which compromise therapeutic efficacy and patient
acceptability. This study evaluates and ranks selected natural gums and starches based on their
rheological properties in magnesium trisilicate suspension to identify locally sourced efficient
and stable suspending agents that could be used for preparing stable pharmaceutical formulations. Method: Natural suspending agents obtained from starches extracted from their tubers and
grains along with other selected natural gums were compounded at varying concentrations (1–
5% w/v) into magnesium trisilicate suspensions. Formulations were assessed for organoleptic
properties, pH stability (using a digital pH meter), viscosity (using Brookfield viscometer), and
sedimentation volume over 4 weeks (for pH and viscosity) and 7 days (for sedimentation
volume). A control without suspending agent served as baseline. Results: All natural suspending agents utilized improved the viscosity and sedimentation
volume (4.76-5.01 mPa·s and 0.48-0.98 respectively) when compared to the magnesium
trisilicate without any suspending agent which served as control (viscosity: 4.12 mPa·s;
sedimentation: 0.48 by day 7). Tragacanth gum (2% w/v) showed highest viscosity (7.52 mPa·s)
and sedimentation volume (0.92 by day 7), followed by acacia gum and gelatin. Starches (e.g., potato, cocoyam) provided moderate stability but exhibited greater pH decline (to ~4.0 after 4
weeks) due to potential degradation. Conclusions: Tragacanth, acacia, and gelatin were identified as the most effective natural
suspending agents in magnesium trisilicate suspensions. Starches provided moderate but
consistent results. The study establishes that locally sourced natural polymers can serve as cost- effective, biodegradable alternatives for pharmaceutical suspension formulations.

Background: Self emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) offer a means of enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of drugs with poor water solubility. The aim of this study is to formulate and evaluate a self emulsifying drug delivery system of diclofenac potassium using palm oil as the lipid phase.
Method: Five batches of SEDDS labelled B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 were prepared by incorporating diclofenac potassium in SEDDS bases of palm oil and Tween 80 at varying component ratios. The resulting formulations were evaluated for their self-emulsification performance upon dilution with water by visual inspection and classified according to standard emulsion grading criteria (Grade A, B, or C). They were evaluated for their stability and Absorbance values.
Result: The emulsification performance demonstrated significant variability across the batches, with Batch B1 successfully forming a highly stable Grade A emulsion, indicating rapid and fine self-microemulsification. Conversely, Batches B2 and B3 yielded a satisfactory Grade B emulsion, whereas Batches B4 and B5 resulted in a milky Grade C emulsion, signifying poor emulsification performance. Batches B1, B2 and B3 showed stability,while batches B4 and B5 showed poor stability. The batches had absorbance values which ranged from 0.579 ±0.006 to 0.713 ±0.004 showing considerable drug entrapment.
Conclusion: The optimal performance of Batch B1 confirms that diclofenac potassium can be successfully formulated into a stable SEDDS using palm oil, providing a practical, scalable, and effective strategy for enhanced in vitro dissolution and potential clinical application.

Background: Pharmaceutical manufacturing often relies on imported and synthetic binders, which can be costly and have variable availability. This study was aimed at evaluating starch from a locally sourced tuber, water yam (Dioscorea alata), as a cost-effective alternative. The study specifically compared the performance of native (unmodified) starch to pregelatinized water yam starch and corn starch. Methods: Starch was extracted from fresh Dioscorea alata tubers. A portion of this starch was then pregelatinized by forming a starch slurry of 50g of the extracted starch in 100ml of water and then heating it at 80ºc until a gel was formed. The gel was dried at 55ºF, converted back to powdered form and subjected to physicochemical characterization. Three distinct batches of 500mg paracetamol tablets were formulated using 0.5g/mL of corn starch, (2) native water yam starch, and (3) pregelatinized water yam starch as the binders. All tablet batches were evaluated for standard quality control parameters, including friability, disintegration time, and in-vitro dissolution. Results: All formulations using water yam starch (both native and pregelatinized) produced tablets with excellent mechanical strength, as indicated by friability values well below the 1.0% pharmacopeial limit. The disintegration test, however, revealed critical differences. The corn starch tablets failed, with a disintegration time of over 2 hours. The native water yam starch tablets also failed, at 43 minutes. In striking contrast, the tablets made with pregelatinized water yam starch passed with an excellent disintegration time of 60 seconds. The dissolution results directly reflected this: the corn starch and native starch batches failed to release the drug, while the pregelatinized batch met the standard. Conclusion: This study confirms that pregelatinization is an essential modification to unlock the potential of water yam starch. While native water yam starch acts as too strong a binder, pregelatinization transforms it into a highly effective, multifunctional excipient that provides both good binding and rapid disintegration. Pregelatinized Dioscorea alata starch is, therefore, a viable, locally sourced, and superior alternative to conventional binders like corn starch for immediate-release tablet formulations.

Background: The stability of pharmaceutical suspensions depends on their rheological properties, which are influenced by the type and concentration of suspending agents. This study evaluated and compared the rheological properties and performance of various suspending agents in ibuprofen suspension formulations. Methodology: Ten suspending agents Chitosan, Sodium Alginate, NaCMC, HPMC, HEC, Carbopol, CMEC, MC, Eudragit L-100, and PVP, were prepared using appropriate solvents. Eudragit L-100 was dissolved in ethanol, HEC, HPMC, and Carbopol in hot water, Chitosan in 1% H₂SO₄, while others were dispersed in distilled water. Each was evaluated for pH,
density, and viscosity. Six agents (NaCMC, CMEC, Sodium Alginate, MC, HPMC, and Carbopol) were selected to formulate ibuprofen suspensions, assessed for pH, viscosity, and sedimentation rate at ambient temperature. Results: All suspending agents produced formulations with acceptable pH (4.1–5.9). Viscosity increased with polymer concentration; Carbopol and NaCMC at 1.0% formed gel like systems, while0.5%gave smooth, pourable suspensions. Sedimentation tests showed the control settled rapidly, whereas Carbopol and NaCMC formulations exhibited the highest stability with uniform sedimentation over seven days. Conclusion: All agents improved suspension stability, though performance varied with concentration. Carbopol and NaCMC at 0.5% provided the best balance between viscosity and pourability, making them most suitable for ibuprofen suspensions

Background and objective:
Herbosomes can be defined as modified liposomes that encapsulate botanical extracts and enhance their stability, bioavailability and helps targeted administration in herbal medicine. This study aims to evaluate various properties of Cymbopogon citratus extract herbosomal cream and complex Cymbopogon citratus extract into a herbosome and incorporate into cream.
Methodology: In this study Ethanolic extraction of Cymbopogon citratus was carried out using a maceration method. The resultant dried extract were then complex into herbosomes of ratios 1:1, 1:2, 2:1 using soy lecithin obtained from. Each of these herbosome complexes were then incorporated into a Non-ionic oil in water cream base (SQ1-SQ3) respectively along with creams containing Lecithin, Plain Cymbopogon citratus extract and Vitamin E (SQ4-SQ6) respectively. The creams were then weighed and put into their respectively labeled jars. Different tests were then carried out on the formulated creams such as evaluation of physiochemical properties( Viscosity, pH, Spreadability, Homogeneity, Freeze and thaw tests),Evaluation of Antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging test, Evaluation of Antibacterial activity, and biological and safety tests (Ex-vivo studies and Irritancy test).
Results:Creams SQ1-SQ6 showed Viscosity ranges from 26.17 to 36.70, pH ranges from 4.4 to 4.8, Spreadability ranges from 6.03 to 9.65, Homogeneity properties along with the freeze and thaw test were carried out and the cream was seen to be smooth with no coarse particles and, with no physical changes seen after the freeze and thaw test. These creams were seen to have Antioxidant properties with SQ1 showing the highest Antioxidant activity of 56.81%, However, there was no Antibacterial activity seen for the Cymbopogon citratus herbosomal creams . For the Ex-vivo studies it was seen that complexing Cymbopogon citratus extract into a Herbosome enhanced the permeability of the Cream across the skin membrane of a Sprague-Dawley rat with SQ3 showing a Percentage release of 61.7% after 3 hours. No irritancy was observed with use of the creams.
Conclusion: Cymbopogon citratus herbosomal cream exhibited good Physiochemical and Antioxidant Properties. Complexation of Cymbopogon citratus in a herbosome enhanced its lipid permeability

Background: Herbal products, typically derived from plant sources, are often perceived as safer
alternatives and are widely used for their therapeutic and antioxidant benefits. This study will help to determine physicochemical and antioxidant properties of some selected liquid herbal products. Methods: Seven selected liquid herbal products (Mojeaga herbal remedy, Goodwill's herbal mixture, pro-life herbal remedy malaria & Typhoid, Goko cleanser, Ganacin G-7 ulcer solution, Evaking herbs ulcer & pile removal and orijin bitter) were obtained from various pharmacies throughout Edo State, Nigeria. Samples underwent sensory evaluation, followed by measurements of specific gravity, pH, viscosity, and antioxidant properties through DPPH radical scavenging activity using spectrophotometric analysis at 517 nm wavelength. Results: The organoleptic properties evaluation of the products revealed that most of the samples had a very strong characteristics odor, except Mojeaga and Goodswill that have aromatic scent, they
all taste bitter except Ganacin and Evakings herbs that were sweet and tasteless. In terms of color, majority of the products showed deep brown coloration, while Ganacin and goko cleanser appeared moudy and dark. The specific gravity ranges from (0.72 to 1.83 g/mL). The pH analysis showed that all products were acidic (ranging from 3.10 to 6.96). All seven herbal products exhibited high viscosity which ranges from (2805 to 5748 cp). The antioxidant assay indicated that all the products contain antioxidant which ranges from (39.13% to 65.22%). Conclusion: The findings suggest that most of the evaluated herbal products possess notable
antioxidant properties and favorable physicochemical characteristics. These attributes act
synergistically to enhance product stability and reduce the risk of degradation or contamination
during storage. Moreover, the antioxidant potential of these formulations may contribute to
protection against infections and minimize adverse effects when used by patients.