Isolation, Characterization and Formulation Properties of a New Plant Gum Obtained from Sida acuta

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the usefulness of Sida acuta gum (SAG) in tablet drug formulation and delivery. Physicochemical characterization of the gum was done by carrying out solubility tests, loss on drying, total ash/acid insoluble ash, pH and micromeritic properties. The moisture content of Sida acuta gum (SAG) was low, suggesting its suitability in formulations containing moisture sensitive drug tablets. The total ash and acid insoluble values of SAG were 2.0 and 1.0% w/w respectively.  The swelling was highest in water, followed by phosphate buffer and least in 0.1N HCI, pH (6.0, 4.0 and 3.0 respectively). Study tablets prepared by incorporating an antiprotozoal drug, metronidazole, exhibited good mechanical strength and acceptable friability values. In vitro drug release studies carried out in simulated gastric and intestinal conditions revealed that SAG-formulated metronidazole release kinetics in simulated biological fluids varies between 2 to 8 hours, depending on the concentration of SAG used in the formulation.  All the formulations used in this study, followed the zero-order kinetics with highest linearity (r² = 0.9709, 0.9743, 0.9716, 0.9727), via non-fickian (anomalous) 0.450.89, (n = 0.6, 0.7, 0.6, 0.6). All the formulations released the drug by diffusion in the hydrated matrix and polymer relaxation. There was no significant difference in drug release among the formulations, SAG 10%, SAG 20%, SAG 30%, and NACMC 30%, (P > 0.05). Release profile of SAG 30% and the reference gum, NACMC 30% were very similar, (P > 0.01). The findings of this study established the fundamental characteristics of Sida acuta gum. The matrices responded to changes in pH along the (gastrointestinal tract) GIT, implying that the gum’s potential is beneficial in tablet drug formulation and intestinal drug delivery.