Boronic acids have been widely investigated for their potential use as glucose sensors in glucose responsive polymeric insulin delivery systems. Interactions between cyclic diols and boronic acids, anchored to polymeric delivery systems, may result in swelling of the delivery system, releasing the drug. In this study, 4-formylphenylboronic acid conjugated chitosan was formulated into insulin containing nanoparticles via polyelectrolyte complexation. The nanoparticles had an average diameter of 140 ± 12.8 nm, polydispersity index of 0.17 ± 0.1, zeta potential of +19.1 ± 0.69 mV, encapsulation efficiency of 81% ± 1.2%, and an insulin loading capacity of 46% ± 1.8% w/w. Changes in size of the nanoparticles and release of insulin were type of sugar- and concentration-dependent. High concentration of diols resulted in a sustained release of insulin due to crosslink formation with boronic acid moieties within the nanoparticles. The formulation has potential to be developed into a self-regulated insulin delivery system for the treatment of diabetes.

Pectin is a high molecular weight polymer which is present in virtually all plants where it contributes to the cell structure. Pectin is a high valuable food ingredient widely used as a gelling agent and thickening agent with limited use in the pharmaceutical industry. The objective of this study is to evaluate the suspending properties of pectin from watermelon rind. Tragacanth was used as a standard suspending agent to which the suspending properties of pectin from watermelon rinds were compared with. The extracted pectin was subjected to phytochemical and physiochemical characterization for its safety and suitability to use as a suspending agent. Paracetamol suspensions were formulated using tragacanth concentrations of 0.5% w/v, 1% w/v, and 2% w/v and compared with paracetamol suspensions containing the same concentrations of watermelon pectin. The suspensions were all tested for their pH, sedimentation rate, sedimentation volume, flow rate, and ease of redispersibility over a period of 4 weeks. At the end of the 4‐week period, all formulated suspensions had no changes in their pH values. Suspensions containing the extracted pectin had a lower rate of sedimentation and ease of redispersibility compared to that of tragacanth. In addition, their sedimentation volumes as well as flow rates were comparable to that of the tragacanth formulations. Ultimately, pectin from watermelon rind can serve as a suitable alternative to tragacanth in formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions.

The proliferation of counterfeit and poor-quality drugs is a major public health problem, especially in developing countries such as Ghana where there are inadequate resources to effectively monitor their prevalence. Most of these drugs, which are counterfeited, are drugs, which are in high demand and will reap huge profits for the unscrupulous people who engage in such activities. The introduction of Omeprazole as one of the first-line therapies in the management of peptic and duodenal ulcers in the treatment guidelines of Ghana has resulted in many generics being introduced onto the market. The pharmaceutical quality of fifteen randomly sampled Omeprazole capsule brands in the Kumasi metropolis was assessed using the innovator brand as a comparator to confirm their suitability for patient use and to provide data for drug regulatory agencies in Ghana concerning poor quality omeprazole brands. All the sampled brands complied with the official specifications for identification with good primary and secondary packaging characteristics. Ninety-four (94) of the sampled brands passed the uniformity of weight test. All the brands (n=16) representing 100 passed the disintegration tests. Sixty percent (60) of the sampled brands passed the drug content test. Ten brands (66.7) met the specification for in vitro dissolution test. From f2 analysis, the dissolution profiles of only five brands (31) were similar to that of the reference brand which indicated that they could be used interchangeably in clinical practice. Conclusively, ten out of the fifteen sampled brands were of good quality and only five could be used as a substitute for the innovator. Thus, regulatory agencies will need to strengthen their postmarket surveillance to ensure that generic brands of good quality are allowed onto the market.

Excipients are components other than active ingredients that are added to pharmaceutical formulations. Naturally sourced excipients are gradually gaining preeminence over synthetically sourced excipients due to local availability and continuous supply. This study aimed to investigate the binding and disintegrating characteristics of gum extracted from the bark of Melia azedarach tree. The bark of Melia azedarach was harvested from Kwahu Asasraka in Ghana. The gum was extracted with ethanol (96), and the percentage yield, phytochemical constituents, and flow characteristics were assessed. As a disintegrant, the gum was utilized to formulate granules at varying concentrations of 5 w/w and 10 w/w using starch as the standard. The gum was also utilized to prepare granules at varying concentrations of 10 w/v and 20 w/v as a binder, with tragacanth gum serving as the reference. Eight batches of tablets were produced from the granules. The formulated tablets from each batch were then subjected to quality control testing, which included uniformity of weight, friability, disintegration, hardness, drug content, and dissolution tests, respectively. Tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and glycosides were identified in the Melia azedarach gum. The gum had a percentage yield of 67.75 and also exhibited good flow properties. All tablets passed the uniformity of weight, friability, disintegration, hardness, dissolution, and drug content tests, respectively. According to the findings of the study, Melia azedarach gum can be utilized as an excipient in place of tragacanth and starch as a binder and disintegrant, respectively, in immediate-release tablets.

The development of a raw material into an acceptable pharmaceutical excipient involves evaluation of the physicochemical and formulation properties of the potential raw material. Results from these evaluations may serve as a guide to subsequent use of the substance. The objective of the study was to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological properties of the stem bark gum of Cordia millenii tree in conventional release paracetamol tablets. From the physicochemical evaluations, the gum was slightly acidic and soluble in all the aqueous-based solvents, except 0.1N HCl in which it was sparingly soluble. All the absorptive properties of the gum indicated tablet disintegrating potential for tablet formulation. The total ash of the gum was higher than that of the international standard gum arabic. Micromeritic properties of the gum indicated the need for a flow aid to improve its flowability. There were no harmful microorganisms detected in the gum. Aerobic organisms and moulds and yeast were detected within permissible limits. Tablets formulated using six different concentrations of gum dispersions as a binder were generally soft and failed the USP T₈₀ standard of dissolution, indicating poor binding and drug releasing properties. Quality control properties of three different batches of tablets containing varying concentrations of the dry gum as a disintegrating agent were comparable to tablets containing equal concentrations of corn starch. The in vitro drug releases were similar at all-time points of drug evaluation. The gum can therefore be considered as a good disintegrant in the formulation of conventional release tablets.

Pharmaceutical excipients are classified based on the function(s) in the processing and/or finished product. However, functionality evaluations, procedures, and related acceptance criteria for excipients tend to depend on the dosage form, and assessment is usually done on a case-by-case basis. This means that any useful and reliable evaluation of the overall functionality-related properties is only possible within the context of the specific formulation method. This study evaluated the physicochemical, functional, and related properties of purified gum obtained from the stem bark of the Cussonia arborea tree. The purified gum was acidic (pH 5.32–5.50) with percentage (%) moisture content and insoluble matter of 13.33 ± 0.33 and 0.47 ± 0.01, respectively. Moreover, it was soluble in all the aqueous-based solvents but insoluble in all the organic solvents. The total ash of the gum was higher than that of international standard gum Arabic. Micromeritic properties indicated the need for a flow aid to improve flowability. Six formulated batches of tablets containing 0.5–5%w/w of gum, respectively, were generally soft with none passing the USP standard of drug dissolution indicating poor tablet binding and drug-releasing properties. The disintegration action of CAPG was poor (only batches containing 0.5 and 1% CAPG passed) and was not comparable to that of the standard corn starch. The gum was therefore considered a poor disintegrant and binder in the formulation of conventional release tablets.