Abstract

PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON THE SUSPENDING PROPERTIES OF SIDA ACUTA GUM IN PARACETAMOL SUSPENSION

Dr. Okafo Sinodukoo Eziuzo* and Prof, Dr. Chukwu Amarauche

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to determine the use of Sida acuta gum as a suspending agent in the formulation of paracetamol suspension and to compare it with standard suspending agents. Sida acuta gum was isolated by isopropyl alcohol precipitation of the filtrate obtained from powdered dried Sida acuta leaves macerated in distilled water. Formulations of paracetamol suspensions were prepared using 0 – 1.5%w/v Sida acuta gum as suspending agent with or without a preservative or flocculating agent. Formulations were also prepared using different concentrations of acacia or sodium carboxymethylcellulose as standard suspending agents. The suspensions were kept on an undisturbed flat surface for two weeks. The suspensions were evaluated based on their sedimentation volume, redispersibility, pH, viscosity and microbiological load. The sedimentation volume based on the suspending agents were in the order; sodium carboxylmethylcellulose > Sida acuta > acacia. The pH of the suspensions increased slightly (0.07 pH units) after 14 days except for formulations PS2B, PS3B, PS5 and PS6 that showed decrease (0.59 pH units). The viscosity of the suspensions that contained Sida acuta gum increased markedly (from 15.8 -53.8 mPas for PS1C). Those that contained acacia increased slightly, while those that contained sodium carboxylmethylcellulose were very high (197.4 mPas) even on day 0. The order of ease of redispersion after 14 days based on the suspending agent; is sodium carboxylmethylcellulose > acacia > Sida acuta gum. The formulations without preservatives showed sign of microbial growth. Paracetamol suspension was successfully formulated with Sida acuta gum as a suspending agent.

Keywords: Suspending properties, Sida acuta, Paracetamol, Suspension.