Preparation and evaluation of gels from gum ofMoringa oleifera

A comprehensive review on pharmaceutical uses of plant-derived biopolysaccharides

Biopolysaccharides extracted from plants are mainly photosynthetic byproducts found in leaves, pods, stems, fruits, grains, seeds, corms, rhizomes, roots, bark exudates, and other plant parts. Recently, these plant-derived biopolysaccharides have received a great deal of attention as pharmaceutical excipients in a range of different dosage forms because of several key advantages, such as widespread accessibility from nature as plant-based sources are readily available, sustainable production, availability of easy and cost-effective extraction methodologies, aqueous solubility, swelling capability in the aqueous medium, non-toxicity, biodegradability, etc. The current review presents a comprehensive overview of the uses of plant-derived biopolysaccharides as effective pharmaceutical excipients in the formulations of different kinds of dosage forms, for example gels, pastes, films, emulsions, suspensions, capsules, tablets, nanoparticles, microparticles, beads, buccal formulations, transdermal formulations, ocular formulations, nasal formulations, etc.

Purification and Characterization of Gum-Derived Polysaccharides of Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica and Their Applications as Plant Stimulants and Bio-Pesticidal Agents

Plant gums are bio-organic substances that are derived from the barks of trees. They are biodegradable and non-adverse complex polysaccharides that have been gaining usage in recent years due to a number of advantages they contribute to various applications. In this study, gum was collected from Moringa oleifera and Azadirachta indica trees, then dried and powdered. Characterizations of gum polysaccharides were performed using TLC, GC-MS, NMR, etc., and sugar molecules such as glucose and xylose were found to be present. Effects of the gums on Abelmoschus esculentus growth were observed through root growth, shoot growth, and biomass content. The exposure of the seeds to the plant gums led to bio stimulation in the growth of the plants. Poor quality soil was exposed to the gum polysaccharide, where the polysaccharide was found to improve soil quality, which was observed through soil analysis and SEM analysis of soil porosity and structure. Furthermore, the plant gums were also found to have bio-pesticidal activity against mealybugs, which showed certain interstitial damage evident through histopathological analysis.

Moringa gum and its modified form as a potential green polymer used in biomedical field

Over the past few decades, natural gums are extensively investigated by the researchers due to their beneficial physicochemical properties. Among them, the polysaccharide exudates obtained from the stem of the plant Moringa oleifera, known as moringa gum, is investigated widely in the food, pharmaceutical, and other areas. The moringa gum is used in the form of dried powder as a pharmaceutical excipient in various formulations. It is also derivatized either by grafting or by other chemical modifications for enhancing its properties. The research on moringa gum and modified moringa gum has diversified in numerous biomedical fields. However, summarization of these progress are not available in the literature. This article gives an overview of the collection, purification, structural elucidation, and modification of moringa gum. Moreover, the present review furnishes complete information on the various aspects of moringa gum and its applications in various industrial and biomedical fields.

Surface Morphology and Physicochemical Characterization of Thermostable Moringa Gum: A Potential Pharmaceutical Excipient

An efficient protocol for physico-chemical characterization of gum exudates collected from the drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera Lam.) has been reported in the present study. Extraction of gum metabolites was done using a series of water, alcohol, acid, and alkali solvent systems. The gum was sparingly soluble in water at room temperature and formed a colloidal solution. Solubility of the gum gradually increased in the solvent gradient (80% ethanol, deionized water, 0.05 M HCl, and 0.05 M NaOH) at 90 °C. Further, electron microscopy revealed that the acetyl group is essential in maintaining the structural integrity, and deacetylation of gum resulted in formation of a mesh of scattered and fibrous particles. Treatment of gum with deionized water resulted in development of a hydrocolloidal matrix with a pore size of 0.5 μm, which upon deacetylation was reduced up to 0.2 μm. The polymer was amorphous in nature and showed maximum thermal stability in ethanol. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the gum polymer revealed that carbohydrate derivatives constituted its major part (>75%). Maximum carbohydrate concentration was obtained in the ethanol soluble fraction, along with fatty acids (10%) and secondary metabolites (9%). The results provided very first confirmation of the hydrocolloidal properties and thermostability of the gum exudates obtained from the drumstick tree, which can further be used to develop an eco-friendly and nontoxic bioligand.

Preparation and Evaluation of Atorvastatin-Loaded Nanoemulgel on Wound-Healing Efficacy

Tissue repair and wound healing are complex processes that involve inflammation, granulation, and remodeling of the tissue. The potential of various statins including atorvastatin (ATR) to improve the wound healing effect was established. The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate the efficacy of topical application of ATR-based nanoemulgel on wound healing. The prepared formulations (ATR gel, ATR emulgel, and ATR nanoemulgel) were evaluated for their physical appearance, rheological behavior, in vitro drug release and ex vivo drug permeation. The in vivo wound healing effect was evaluated in wound-induced rats. The prepared ATR gel formulations showed good physical properties and were comparable. The release profiles of drugs from gel, emulgel, and nanoemulgel were distinct. Skin permeation potential of ATR was significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced when formulated into nanoemulgel. In vivo wound healing studies showed that ATR nanoemulgel exhibited the highest percent wound contraction. Histopathological assessment showed marked improvement in the skin histological architecture after 21 days of ATR nanoemulgel treatment. In conclusion, the data demonstrated here signify the prospective of ATR nanoemulgel as an innovative therapeutic approach in wound healing.

Assessment of the availability and rationality of unregistered fixed dose drug combinations in Nepal: a multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The medications that are registered and available in a country are meant for the prevention and treatment of ailments and diseases. However, a lack of effective regulatory bodies and operative control mechanisms, especially in developing countries, promotes irrational and inappropriate use of medicines. This study aims to evaluate the availability and rationality of unregistered fixed-dose drug combinations (FDCs) in Nepal.

METHODS

A snowball sampling method with visits to 20 retail pharmacies in each of five major cities in Nepal was used to assess the availability of unregistered FDCs. To justify the rationality of the FDCs obtained from these five cities, the toolkit developed by Health Action International Asia-Pacific (HAI-AP) was used.

RESULTS

Altogether, 41 unregistered FDCs were obtained from the five cities. Among the total 41 FDCs, a majority were anti-inflammatory/analgesic/antipyretics. A maximum of eight drugs and a minimum of two drugs per combination were present among the total 41 FDCs, with a majority in the form of tablets followed by suspensions. The cost ranges from a minimum of 3.7 Nepalese Rupees (NRs) (= USD 0.05) to a maximum of 240 NRs (= USD 3.15). None of the FDCs fulfilled all the fundamental requirements as stated in the toolkit; thus, they were categorized as 'irrational'.

CONCLUSIONS

Unregistered FDCs are available in the Nepalese pharmaceutical market. All the unregistered FDCs found in our study were 'irrational' as per the HAI-AP toolkit. Regulatory authorities should initiate strict monitoring and appropriate regulatory mechanisms to prohibit the use of unregistered and irrational FDCs.

Recently Investigated Natural Gums and Mucilages as Pharmaceutical Excipients: An Overview

Due to advances in drug delivery technology, currently, excipients are included in novel dosage forms to fulfil specific functions and in some cases they directly or indirectly influence the extent and/or rate of drug release and drug absorption. Recent trends towards use of plant based and natural products demand the replacement of synthetic additives with natural ones. Today, the whole world is increasingly interested in natural drugs and excipients. These natural materials have many advantages over synthetic ones as they are chemically inert, nontoxic, less expensive, biodegradable, and widely available. This review discusses majority of the plant-derived polymeric compounds (gums and mucilage's), their sources, chemical constituents, uses, and some recent investigations as excipients in novel drug delivery systems.

Pharmaceutical applications of various natural gums, mucilages and their modified forms

A large number of plant based pharmaceutical excipients are available today. Gums and mucilages are the most commonly available plant ingredients with a wide range of applications in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. They are being used due to their abundance in nature, safety and economy. They have been extensively explored as pharmaceutical excipients. They are biocompatible, cheap and easily available. Natural materials have advantages over synthetic ones since they are chemically inert, nontoxic, less expensive, biodegradable and widely available. They can also be modified in different ways to obtain tailor-made materials for drug delivery systems and thus can compete with the available synthetic excipients. Recent trend toward the use of plant based and natural products demands the replacement of synthetic additives with natural ones. In this review, we describe the pharmaceutical applications of various natural gums, mucilages and their modified forms for the development of various drug delivery systems.

The changing roles of pharmacists in community pharmacies: perception of reality in India

AIM OF THE REVIEW

To summarise the state of community pharmacy in India including: the provision of patient care, pharmacy education, the pharmaceutical market, healthcare delivery, community pharmacy services, the professional role of community pharmacists, and future developments.

METHOD

Medline, Scirus, and Google Scholar databases and the journals "Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences" and "Indian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy" were searched up to the end of December 2008. In addition to these, other available sources were used to identify relevant articles.

RESULTS

India has a fast growing pharmaceutical industry sector and a need for well educated pharmacists. Domestic sale of medicines is estimated to be $5 billion during 2006 and increasing. The supply of medicines to the population is undertaken by privately owned community pharmacies and sometimes also by hospital pharmacies. Community pharmacists are involved only in dispensing medicines. Community pharmacists have an opportunity to improve healthcare of the population, particularly of the disadvantaged section of the society that does not have the resources to visit clinics (both the poor and rural population). However, important barriers to the provision of pharmaceutical care exists, including lack of proper education and training of pharmacists, weak implementation of existing laws, and lack of recognition of the pharmacy as a profession by the other healthcare professionals.

CONCLUSION

The healthcare services in community pharmacies, currently insignificant, must undergo reforms to meet the changing needs of modern medicines users. The pharmacist's role in patient care is expected to grow as professional and educational standards develop. Although pharmacists' contributions to health care are not yet recognized, there is every reason to be optimistic toward making patient care in community pharmacy setting a success. For this, the educational system for pharmacists has to be adapted.