Emmanuel O Olorunsola1,2
,
Partap G Bhatia3,
Babajide A Tytler2,
Musiliu O Adedokun1,
Michael U Adikwu1
1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Uyo, Uyo;
2Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria;
3Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto;
4Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
For correspondence:- Emmanuel Olorunsola
Email: olorunsolaeo@yahoo.com Tel:+2348035067306
Received: 17 January 2017
Accepted: 19 April 2017
Published: 29 May 2017
Citation:
Olorunsola EO, Bhatia PG, Tytler BA, Adedokun MO, Adikwu MU.
Dissolution and permeation characteristics of artemether tablets formulated with two gums of different surface activity. Trop J Pharm Res 2017; 16(5):981-988
doi:
10.4314/tjpr.v16i5.3
© 2017 The authors.
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Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the dissolution and permeation characteristics of artemether tablets formulated with cashew and prosopis gums, and compare with tablets prepared with acacia gum.
Methods: Artemether tablets containing varying concentrations (1.0 to 4.0 %w/w) of cashew and prosopis gums or 3 %w/w of acacia (control) gum as binders were formulated by wet granulation method. The tablets were evaluated for crushing strength, friability and disintegration time. Dissolution and permeation characteristics of the formulations were studied using USP methods.
Results: Tablets formulated with prosopis gum had higher crushing strength, higher friability and higher disintegration time compared to those of cashew gum at corresponding binder concentrations. Tablets formulated with 3 %w/w cashew gum exhibited complete drug release within 1 h, 95 % drug permeation in 188 min (in simulated gastric fluid [SGF]) and 95 % permeation in 224 min (under simulated intestinal fluid [SIF] condition) while those made with 3 %w/w prosopis gum exhibited 70.7 % drug release in 1 h, 95 % permeation in 135 min (in SGF) and 95 % permeation in 170 min (under SIF condition).
Conclusion: Cashew gum is effective as a binder over a relatively wide range of concentrations to achieve fast drug release though with minimal permeation enhancement while prosopis gum is characterized by delayed drug release but enhanced permeation of the released drug
Keywords: Cashew gum, Acacia, Prosopis, Artemether, Drug release, Dissolution, Permeation