ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION:  In recent times, most of the active pharmaceutical ingredients and excipients are eventually imported with scarce local currencies, and this poses a huge problem for local pharmaceutical manufacturers. Development of new and improved natural excipients has been necessitated by the cost, safety and biodegradability issues related to synthetic excipients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to extract, characterize and evaluate the suspending property of Mucuna sloanei (MSG) gum in Zinc Oxide suspension, an indiffusible solid as a model drug in comparison to Acacia gum BP (ACG).

METHOD: Mucuna sloanei gum (MSG) was extracted using organic solvent extraction method which involved dehulling of the pulverized seed, followed by oxidation with sodium metabisulphite, defattened with n-hexane, and finally precipitated with absolute ethanol. The extracted gum dried in a hot air oven at 40 degrees C for 3hours. The dried gum was stored in an airtight container for 24hours before further characterization.

The extracted powdered gum was screened, subjected to physicochemical characterization and flow properties in comparison with Acacia BP (ACG) powder using standard methods. Other parameters evaluated includes viscosity and pH. Phytochemical tests were also carried out on the gums such as Molisch, Iodine, Ruthenium tests, to evaluate for the presence of carbohydrate, starch and mucilage respectively.

 Zinc Oxide suspensions were formulated using various concentrations of MSG and ACG (1.0 - 3.0 %w/v) and assessed for their sedimentation volume and ease of redispersibility.

RESULTS:From this study, MSG showed desirable physical, phytochemical, micromeritics, physicochemical properties, suspending potentials at all concentrations including sedimentation volume and ease of redispersibility when compared to ACG.

CONCLUSION: Mucuna sloanei gum could be a potential cheaper alternative suspending agent in the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions as it is readily available, locally sourced, biodegradable and relatively cheaper than most of the currently available alternatives.