Abstract

DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERISATION OF ORAL JELLIES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PARKINSONISM

Jisha Gopi and Umesh Kumar Sharma*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Based on the fact that 90% of all people with Parkinson’s face difficulties in eating and swallowing. In present research a novel dosage form of oral jelly for anti-parkinsonism drugs was developed and characterised. Objective: The main objectives of this research were to overcome difficulties faced by Parkinsonism patients in administration of conventional dosage form during dysphagic episode. The formulated jelly can be chewed easily & dissolves in buccal cavity without water for ingestion making it unique from other conventional dosage forms. Therefore, the Parkinsonism patients will easily swallow the medicated jelly and choking will be avoided, further the patient also fascinated by the appearance, soft texture the sweetness, patient-friendly, convenient, without specific dose and frequency and will be much cheaper than existing market products. Method: The formulated oral jellies contain Levodopa and Carbidopa (4:1) for the management of Parkinsonism. The medicated jelly of anti-parkinsonism drug was prepared by heating and congealing method. Result: The formulation was evaluated for organoleptic properties and physico-chemical parameters (like physical appearance, odour, taste, spreadability, stickiness, texture, grittiness, viscosity, weight variation, pH, synergises and drug content). In-vitro dissolution study was carried out in artificial gastric fluid without enzyme. The optimized formulations show drug release of 99.84 to 99.96% in 360 minutes. The optimized formulation was subjected to stability studies as per ICH guidelines & has shown acceptable result. Conclusion: This research opens the possibilities of new dosage form that have perspectives of commercialization as an acceptable product for the management of Parkinsonism. The developed oral jellies can also be used for paediatric, geriatric and dysphagia patient.

Keywords: Parkinsonism, Levodopa, Carbidopa, dysphagia, Jelly, Edible oral jelly, medicated jelly.