Article Type : Research Article
Authors : Ekhande V, Dhake A, Bendale S and Rangari V
Keywords : Tikhur; Dry powder; Formulation; Optimization; Stability
Curcuma angustifolia Roxb (Zingiberaceae)
known as Tikhur, is a plant that is native to India. Rhizome of this plant is
commonly used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments such as
fever, acidity, diarrhea, gastric ulcer, burning micturition etc. The objective
of present study was to develop a stable reconstitutable dry suspension of
tikhur. We prepared four different formulations of tikhur as dry suspensions.
Geometric mixing methodology was followed to prepare the formulations. Tests
performed to evaluate dry formulations included flow properties. Among all the
developed formulations, P4 was the best having excellent flow property. There
was no interaction between the drug and excipients used in the suspension which
was confirmed from the compatibility studies. Reconstituted suspension was
evaluated for its colour, taste, viscosity, pH, sedimentation volume, density,
redispersibility, stability studies. During stability studies no significant
changes were observed for 3 months. Thus, the formulation of reconstitutable
suspension of tikhur was optimized and evaluated.
Tikhur (Curcuma angustifolia; family Zingiberaceae) is
a rhizomatous herb [1]. It is one of over 80 species belonging to the Curcuma
L. genus. It is traditionally used as a medicinal plant. This species is native
to the Indian subcontinent. Tikhur is cultivated as medicinal crop in many
parts of the India under moist deciduous sal and mixed forest of Chhattisgarh,
Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand [2,4]. Additionally, this species can be found in
Nepal, Pakistan, Burma and Laos [5,6]. The leaves have a taste that resembles
turmeric. Nutritional and therapeutic qualities are present in the rhizome [7].
The main active components of the rhizome are the non-volatile curcuminoids
(curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) [8-11]. The starch
obtained from the rhizome of tikhur is used for the treatment of cough and
bronchitis, burning micturition, appetizer and stomach pains, and peptic
ulcers. The starch is also used for the preparation of several foods such as
barfi halwa, khoa-jalebi and Gulabjamun [14,15]. The starchy flour is used as a
weaning food called shotti. The leaves of the plant yield a volatile oil,
possessing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties [12,13]. The route
preferred for achieving systemic therapeutic effects is the oral route [16].
Besides solid dosage form such as tablets & capsules, liquid products such
as suspensions and emulsions are also used. Suspension is defined as a coarse
dispersion of finely subdivided insoluble solid drug suspended in a suitable
liquid (usually aqueous) medium. It is a biphasic preparation of one or more
solids. Basically it may be flocculated or deflocculated [17]. Dry suspension
is a commercial dry mixture that requires addition of water and shaking at the
time of dispensing [18]. The preparation of suspension requires a number of
excipients or formulation additives so as to render it stable and present it in
desired form with essential properties. The various excipients used in the
formulation of suspension are: vehicles, wetting agents, suspending agents,
flocculating agents, viscosity modifiers, and formulation additives [19]. When
swallowing is challenging, it is a better method of delivery than solid dosage
forms like tablets or capsules. Due to its advantages over other routes of
administration, including ease, patient compliance, and safety, oral
administration is recommended [20]. A dry suspension can offer several
advantages such as maintenance of the chemical stability of the active
compounds until reconstitution at the start of treatment. The suspension can be
easily administered to children of different ages by adapting the volume to
swallow [21]. The purpose of this work was to prepare, optimize and evaluate
the reconstitutable suspension of Tikhur. Consequently, the initial goal of
this work is to formulate a dry powder suspension from which a stable
reconstituted suspension can be prepared .Factorial designs are used in
experiments where the effects of different factors or conditions on
experimental results are to be elucidated. A factor is an assigned variable
such as concentration, temperature, lubricating agent, drug treatment or diet.
Our experiment is based on 2*2 factorial design in which two factors are to be
studied at two levels.
Materials
HPMC, stearic acid and silicon dioxide were obtained
as a gift samples from ‘Reve Pharma’ MIDC, Sinnar, Nashik. Sucrose and
flavouring agent (cinnamon) were purchased from M/s. Dagdu Teli Chandwadkar
Trading Co, Nashik. Sodium benzoate from Cookwell foods, Pune, Maharashtra,
India. Tikhur powder was procured from Herbal dealer Sudhir Jain, Kenda Tal.
Kota Dist. Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. The tikhur had been prepared by the tribals
by traditional methods.
Equipments:
Digital pH meter (model EQ610), Sieve shaker machine (Sodexo HTM, Electro
lab/EMS8), measuring balance (WENSAR), Bulk density apparatus, Brookfield
viscometer (Viscolead adv.), Mortar-pestle, Stability chamber.
Compatibility study
Drug and excipients were mixed in 1:1 ratio (1g:1g)
and stored in polybags at room temperature. Samples were analyzed after 24 hrs
and at the end of 4 weeks storage [22].
Preparation of dry
suspension of Tikhur
Different reconstitutable formulations of tikhur
powder were prepared by following method. The granules of tikhur were powdered
mixed with the required quantity of sugar. Sodium benzoate was mixed with
colloidal silicon dioxide, stearic acid and hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose.
Flavour was mixed with above ingredients. All the materials were mixed
properly. After mixing, this powder blend was mixed continuously for 30
minutes. All the formulations of dry suspension were prepared in the same
manner. All prepared formulations were filled into bottles (Table 1). Suspension
was prepared by adding water q.s to make 50mL. Factorial design [23]. 2*2
factorial design was applied for preparing trial batches. Factor A-HPMC, was
tested at 2 levels-1.25g and 0.75 g. Factor B-Colloidal silicon dioxide was
tested at 2 levels-0.75 and 0.5 g. The responses measured were 1-Sedimentation
volume and 2-Angle of repose.
Evaluation
Preformulation
studies
The formulated batches for powdered dry suspension
were evaluated for their bulk density, tapped density, Hausner’s ratio, angle
of repose, compressibility index according to the standard procedures [24,25].
Sieve
analysis
The Sieve number # 20, # 40, #60, # 80, # 120 were
placed in a series in increasing pore diameter (decreasing sieve )order. 50 g
of powdered drug was weighed accurately and transferred on the sieve #20 which
is kept on the top. The sieves were shaken for 15 min.Then the drug retained on
each sieve was taken and weighed separately and expressed in terms of % [26].
Organoleptic evaluation
The formulated suspensions were analyzed for colour,
odour and taste [27,28]. The taste of suspension was evaluated by panel method.
A test was conducted on the four formulations. Six volunteers between the ages
of 22-60 were selected. Each volunteer was given 5mL dose of formulated
suspensions.
Evaluation of the
reconstituted suspension
Physiochemical
characteristics
To each dry suspension. These were evaluated according
to the parameters given below relating to their physicochemical
characteristics.
pH
pH of the suspension was determined using a calibrated
digital pH meter at 25oC [29].
Viscosity
Brookfield viscometer are used to determine the
viscosity of the suspension. For this test 30mL of suspension was taken in a
small beaker in such way that spindle L2 was completely immersed in suspension.
Measurements were taken at 50 rpm and 25 oC [30].
Sedimentation
volume
Sedimentation volume (F) is a ratio of the final
volume of sediment (Vu) to the original volume of sediment (Vo). 50 mL of each
suspension was transferred into 100 mL measuring cylinder and the volume of
sediment formed was noted after 24 hrs [31].
Redispersibility
The test consisted of manually shaking the stoppered
bottle after allowing the sedimentation experiment for 24 hrs. The formulation
was assessed based on the time and work needed to turn the silt into a
homogenous suspension. Good dispersion in a single inversion was considered as
100% redispersible. The percent ease of redispersibility dropped by 5% for each
subsequent inversion required [32].
Density
The specific gravity bottle method was used to
determine the density of the suspension formulation. The specific gravity
bottle was weighed (W1) after being carefully cleaned and dried. The bottle was
filled with suspension and weighed again (W2). The density of suspension was
then determined from the weight of content [33,34].
Pourability
Suspension was reconstituted in water. Then it was
filled in bottles and poured from the bottles to evaluate its pourability [30].
Stability
studies
Dry powder and reconstituted suspension were subjected
to stability studies according to the ICH guidelines. F4 formulation showing
good flow property and sedimentation volume was selected for stability studies
at RT and 40oC/75 RH in stability chamber for 3 months. It was evaluated for
colour, pH, and viscosity at intermittent of intervals up to 3 months [35].
The formulation development of oral suspension of
tikhur was done with different levels of HPMC IP as suspending agent and colloidal
SiO2 as glidant & anticaking agent.
Compatibility study
Compatibility testing proved that the drug and
excipients did not interact chemically and physically with each other (Table
2).
Sieve analysis
The particle size analysis is concludes that large
amount (77.92%) of drug particle was retained on sieve 20 and remaining
(22.08%) of dug passes through all sieves shown in (Table 3).
Organoleptic evaluation
Colour, odour and taste evaluation in volunteers
confirmed that taste of suspension was good (Table 4).
Flow property of Tikhur
powder formulation
The results of micromeritics studies for dry
suspension of tikhur were shown in table 5. The Carr’s index value between the
12-16% indicates good compressibility. The angle of repose less than 40°
indicates good flowability of powder. Hausner’s ratio is an important parameter
to determine the flow behavior of dry powder and indicative of inter-particle
friction. Hausner’s ratio value of less than 1.25 demonstrated excellent flow
[36].
Physicochemical
evaluation of reconstituted suspensions
The pH of formulations P1 to P4 ranged from 5.09-4.37
which is desirable for stability. Redispersibility is a parameter determined to
evaluate the sedimentation behaviour of suspension. The redispersibility of all
the formulations were found to be in good agreement with the theoretical value
indicating the good sedimentation behaviour of formulations. An excellent
redispersibility was observed for P4. Thus we can confirmed the good
sedimentation behaviour of respective formulation as observed in sedimentation
volume test. The viscosity of the four formulations ranged between 11.43 to
96.65 cps with formulation P4 showing the optimum value 99.65 cps at 50 rpm.
Statistical optimization
of formulations [37]
2*2 factorial design was applied for preparing the
trial batches. Factor A-HPMC was tested at 2 levels-1.25 g & 0.75. Factor
B-Colloidal silicon dioxide was tested at 2 levels-0.75g & 0.5 g. The
responses measured were 1- Sedimentation volume and 2-Angle of repose. The main
effects of A and B are estimated at Low level (-), high level (+) .To estimate
the effects we, add the responses multiplied by the signs in appropriate column
and divide by 2. (Table 5,6).
The main effect of an on response1 (Sedimentation
volume) and response 2 (angle of repose) was calculated as 0.08, 2.88
respectively.
The main effect of B on response1 (Sedimentation
volume) and response 2 (angle of repose) was calculated as 0.06, 0.87
respectively.
The main effect of HPMC and Colloidal SiO2 was
positive on Sedimentation volume and angle of repose. On the basis of above
results, formulation P4 was selected as the optimized product.
Example. Main effect of B (Colloidal SiO2) on Response
1 (calculation)
Main effect of B (Colloidal SiO2) =
=
=
= 0.06
Stability studies
Short term accelerated stability study was performed
for the optimized (P4) dry powder oral suspension. The formulation was packed
in HDPE bottles of 50 mL capacity. Evaluation of the dry suspension was done
initially and at the end of each month for3 months [38].The dry suspensions
were analyzed for their physical appearance. The pH was measured immediately on
preparing reconstituted suspension. It was confirmed that the developed
suspension has good stability (Table 7).
The marketed product TIKHUR FLOUR manufactured by
Trikund Food and Herbs Private Limited was evaluated for the parameters like
colour, taste, odour, pH, sedimentation volume (Table 8,9). Formulation (P4)
was compared with marketed product [35]. From the comparative study between
marketed sample and P4 formulation it was found that the evaluation parameters
were improved in optimized batch (P4) (Figure 1).
Dry suspension formulations P1, P2, P3 and P4 were prepared and evaluated for physiochemical characteristics. P4 formulation was more suitable among all and was considered for further studies. 3 months studies under accelerated conditions were performed for dry suspension by placing it in stability chamber and evaluated for physicochemical parameters. Stability studies of formulation after reconstitution with water were also performed for 7 days under accelerated conditions of temperature and humidity. Physical parameters for P4 formulation were studied every months.
Figure 1: Tikhur.
No change 1 was observed in P4 formulation with
respect to physical appearance, taste, pH and viscosity. Hence it was concluded
that P4 formulation shows acceptable stability. Thus a dry suspension of Tikhur
was formulated which provided acceptable palatability and stability. The
optimized formulation, P4, will soon be tested for its efficacy in treatment of
UTI (acute cystitis) in clinical trials in human patients.
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
The authors are thankful to the S.M.B.T College of
Pharmacy, Dhamangaon, Igatpuri, Nashik, for providing facilities and assisting
us through the process. I extend my thanks to Reve Pharma, Sinnar for providing
the required excipients. I would like to
thanks my parents and friends Sonali, Mayur who have helped me with their
valuable suggestions and guidance has been helpful in various phases of the
completion of the project.