Pectin is a high molecular weight polymer which is present in virtually all plants where it contr... more 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 p...
Introduction: Soil and aquatic microorganisms have been the major sources of novel antimicrobial ... more Introduction: Soil and aquatic microorganisms have been the major sources of novel antimicrobial agents over the past years. The continues use of these agents against pathogenic organisms have resulted in multi-drug resistant pathogens, hence, the need to search for new and potent antimicrobial agents. Methods: In this study, microorganisms were isolated from 24 samples collected from soil, the Kakum River (water and sediments) and the Gulf of Guinea (water and sediments). The microorganisms present in these samples were screened for their antimicrobial producing potentials. Results: A total of 138 microorganisms were isolated out of which thirty-six (36) showed growth–inhibitory activity against at least one of the test organisms used for the screening. The extract of a selected isolate, GKSE1, showed antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. pyogenes, E. faecalis, E. coli, K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, S. typhorium and S. dysentriae with mi...
Excipients are components other than active ingredients that are added to pharmaceutical formulat... more 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 ...
There has always been a strong human dependency on plants for health purposes and such an importa... more There has always been a strong human dependency on plants for health purposes and such an important relationship should be sustained. Plants remain a repository of drug leads for discovering new pharmaceutical agents for prevention, treatment and improving the quality of health for many people globally. In the effort to improve healthcare services, Ghana put up the Recommended Essential Herbal Medicine List (REHML) consisting of products that are used in the treatment of both Communicable and non-Communicable diseases. To inspire confidence among prescribers and clients of the products it has become necessary to validate the plants and their products. The aim of the study was to identify the medicinal plants' species in the herbal products in Ghana’s REHML commonly used for treatment, the conditions being treated with them and finding published research for the plants therapeutic use. Medicinal plants on the REHML with chances of getting extinct were also assessed. The REHML of ...
The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that BmK AGAP (AGAP) potentiates the analge... more The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that BmK AGAP (AGAP) potentiates the analgesic effect of lidocaine. The chronic constrictive injury was performed on 72 rats to induce a rapid onset and long-lasting pain. The rats were randomly assigned to one of six groups; Group A (n = 12) received an intrathecal administration of saline, Group B (n = 12) received an intrathecal injection of lidocaine, Group C (n = 12) received an intrathecal administration of AGAP, Group D, E, and F (n = 12 each) received an intrathecal administration of lidocaine 0.005 mg/ml + AGAP 25, 50, 100 μg/kg respectively. The von Frey filaments were used to assess mechanical allodynia. Nav1.7 and TRPV1 currents were recorded by the whole-cell aspiration patch-clamp technique, and KCNQ2/3 currents were recorded by the whole-cell drilling patch-clamp technique. The whole-cell aspiration patch-clamp technique showed that AGAP inhibited TRPV1and KCNQ2/3 currents and increased the analgesic effect of lidocaine. AGAP may have a synergistic effect with lidocaine which demonstrates a potential therapeutic approach for optimizing post-operative analgesia.
Natural polymers have become attractive to pharmaceutical researchers and manufacturers as excipi... more Natural polymers have become attractive to pharmaceutical researchers and manufacturers as excipients because of the advantages they possess relative to their semisynthetic and synthetic counterparts. Although pectin from some natural sources has been investigated for use in the pharmaceutical industry as excipients, pectin from okra, which is readily available and used as food in many parts of the world, has not been extensively investigated as a potential control-releasing agent in tablets. This study thus seeks to determine the drug release modifying properties of okra pectin from 6 different genotypes of okra cultivated and available in Ghana. Pectin was extracted from different genotypes of okra, physicochemical properties were characterized, and control release matrix tablets of metformin (F1–F6) were formulated using the wet granulation method with the okra pectin as the drug release modifier, respectively. The drug content, in vitro drug release, and mathematical kinetic mod...
The study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of the Ke-e... more The study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of the Ke-enya stream which is relied on by the inhabitants of Babato-kuma and its surrounding villages for their domestic and Agricultural activities. A total of twenty eight (28) water samples were collected at upstream, midstream and downstream from November 2012 to January 2013 for analysis. Most of the physicochemical parameters were within WHO guidelines recommended for potable water with the exception of Turbidity and Colour which exceeded the WHO standard of 5 (NTU) and 15 (Hz) respectively. Colour ranged from 100 to 130 (Hz) with a mean of 117±9.45 (Hz), whiles Turbidity ranged from 9 to 36 NTU with a mean of 20.78±10.5 NTU. However, Total Coliform (420-1188 CFU/100ml, 757±261), Faecal Coliform (140-623 CFU/100ml, 305±145) E.coli (46-391 CFU/100ml, 135±102) and Total Heterotrophic bacteria (444-3129 CFU/ml, 1341±778) were higher than WHO standards. Bacterial contamination could be traced t...
The three new diterpenes, polylongifoliaic A (I) and polylongifoliaons A (II), are isolated toget... more The three new diterpenes, polylongifoliaic A (I) and polylongifoliaons A (II), are isolated together with nine known diterpenes.
The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) pharmacy prepares paediatric formulations of unavailabl... more The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) pharmacy prepares paediatric formulations of unavailable dosage forms on daily basis for children with a variety of acute and chronic diseases. This study assessed the physical and microbiological quality, and chemical stability of extemporaneous oral paediatric formulations prepared in this facility. The study team surveyed the hospital for unavailable formulations which were requested and prepared extemporaneously in the hospital's pharmacy. Stability studies were then conducted on the six (6) most frequently prepared paediatric suspension formulations namely; acetazolamide, spironolactone. propranolol, furosemide, phenobarbitone and lamivudine. These were prepared in accordance with KATH approved formulation procedures. HPLC and the agar diffusion methods were employed in the analysis. The formulated suspensions of spironolactone and furosemide were microbiologically and chemically stable up to 30 days. Lamivudine suspension was stable both chemically and microbiologically up to 60 days. The acetazolamide suspension was not stable up to a 30 days' mark. Phenobarbitone and propranolol suspensions were highly unstable even within 30 days and therefore, might require refrigeration to maintain their stability. The results showed that the formulated suspensions had sufficient microbial integrity and a range of active content stability, which suggested suitability for use as follows; lamivudine suspension up to 60 days, spironolactone and furosemide suspensions up to 30 days; acetazolamide, phenobarbitone and propranolol suspensions possibly up to 2 weeks, after preparation.
Microorganisms are one of the main sources of antimicrobial agents and over 50% of antibiotics cu... more Microorganisms are one of the main sources of antimicrobial agents and over 50% of antibiotics currently used in hospitals are metabolites from microbes. This study aimed to isolate microorganisms from the Dompoase landfill site, Kwame Nkrumah University Physics Garden, Kosiko River, and Ada Foah seashore of Ghana and screen their metabolites for antimicrobial activity. Forty-eight (48) microorganisms were isolated and their metabolites were screened against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Proteus mirabilis, and Candida albicans using the agar well diffusion method. Ten (10) of the isolates exhibited antimicrobial activity. Isolate DO5, identified as P. aeruginosa isolate, from the Dompoase landfill site was selected for fermentation because it exhibited the highest activity against all the test organisms. DO5 produced optimum antimicrobial activi...
Journal of medical biomedical and applied sciences, Jul 2, 2014
ABSTRACT As part of our ongoing study to screen local herbs for their possible usefulness in chem... more ABSTRACT As part of our ongoing study to screen local herbs for their possible usefulness in chemotherapy of infectious diseases, we assessed extracts from sixteen herbs for their antimicrobial properties and their influence on the activity of tetracycline. The minimum inhibito-ry concentrations (MIC) of tetracycline against Staph. aureus, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and S. typhi were determined alone and in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of the extracts by the Kirby–Bauer agar diffusion method of antibacterial assay. Twelve of the extracts potentiated the antibacterial activity of tetracycline against at least one of the test bacteria. Extracts of B. arun-dinacea, B. pilosa, C. membranaceus, E. guineensis, H. sabdariffa, J. curcas root, M. oppositifolius, M. lucida and S. campanulata significantly (p<0.05) reduced the MIC of tetracycline against Staph aureus. J. curcas root extract did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity against Staph. ureus, B. subtilis and P. ueruginosa but at 10 μg/ml concentration it potentiated tetracycline activity against these organisms. We hereby report the preliminary investigation of tetracycline activity potentiation by some of our local Ghanaian herbs and that these herbs may provide lead compounds that can serve as adjuvants in tetracycline formulations for the treatment of resistant bacterial infectious diseases usually encountered among HIV/AIDS patients. The results also indicate that, concomitant use of herbal products and antibiotics without prior investigation may lead to toxic side effects and should be discouraged.
Recent studies have provided relevant scientific support for the use of C. membranaceus root in t... more Recent studies have provided relevant scientific support for the use of C. membranaceus root in the treatment of prostate cancers. In the current study, we formulated both liquid and solid oral dosage forms from the ethanol extract of C. membranaceus root and investigated their physicochemical properties, release effects and suitability in comparison with the currently used aqueous decoctions and directly powdered plant material, in order to determine the most appropriate and suitable dosage form that will maximize the benefits of therapy with this species. The prepared solution from the ethanol extract had characteristics similar to the aqueous decoction, but unlike the later, it maintained its specifications and stability throughout the period of study. However, the use of large volumes, convenience and suitability for long term use, will limit their application. The assessed properties of the prepared tablets and capsules met all the specifications required for good quality and t...
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
The stem wood and twigs of Garcinia kola are extensively used in Ghana and other West African cou... more The stem wood and twigs of Garcinia kola are extensively used in Ghana and other West African countries as “chew‐sticks” for personal oral hygiene and the decoction of various parts is used to treat infections and other diseases. In this study we investigated the in vitro antimicrobial properties of a methanolic extract of G. kola stem wood and its toothpaste formulation against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, α‐haemolytic Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans by the standard agar diffusion and broth dilution methods. The cytotoxic activity of the extract against a normal human cell lines (SVK‐14) and three human cancer cell lines (DLD‐1, MCF‐7 and M14) was also assessed by the standard MTT Colorimetric method. All the micro‐organisms were significantly susceptible (p<0.01) to the extract (MIC range 0.25 ‐ 2.0 mg/ml) and the toothpaste (zones of growth‐inh...
Polymeric materials from plants continue to be of interest to pharmaceutical scientists as potent... more Polymeric materials from plants continue to be of interest to pharmaceutical scientists as potential binders in immediate release tablets due to availability, sustainability, and constant supply to feed local pharmaceutical industries. Paracetamol tablet formulations were utilized in investigating the potential binding characteristics of pectin harnessed from various okra genotypes (PC1-PC5) in Ghana. The pectin yields from the different genotypes ranged from 6.12 to 18.84%w/w. The pH of extracted pectin ranged from 6.39 to 6.92, and it had good swelling indices and a low moisture content. Pectin extracted from all genotypes were evaluated as binders (10, 15, and 20%w/v) and compared to tragacanth BP. All formulated tablets (F1-F18) passed the weight uniformity, drug content, hardness, and friability tests. Based on their crushing strength, tablets prepared with pectin from the various genotypes were relatively harder ( P ≤ 0.05 ) than tablets prepared with tragacanth BP. Tablets pr...
Pharmaceutical oral solutions are preparations in which the active ingredients are dissolved in s... more Pharmaceutical oral solutions are preparations in which the active ingredients are dissolved in suitable liquid vehicles such as syrups. This study sought to determine the potential of glucose syrup produced from high quality cassava flour (HQCF) as a vehicle or sweetener in the preparation of paracetamol syrup and simple linctus. Four formulations (two paracetamol syrups (B1 and B2) and two simple linctus formulations (A1 and A2)) were prepared using glucose syrup from HQCF as vehicle or sweetener while two controls (B3 and A3) were prepared for each group using sucrose syrup as vehicle or sweetener. Two brands of paracetamol syrup and simple linctus were purchased from retail pharmacies to serve as standards. Physical and organoleptic parameters such as pH, taste and color, microbial load, and drug content of all formulations were determined. All formulations passed the microbial load and drug content tests as specified by the British Pharmacopoeia. The paracetamol syrups were all...
Pectin is a high molecular weight polymer which is present in virtually all plants where it contr... more 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 p...
Introduction: Soil and aquatic microorganisms have been the major sources of novel antimicrobial ... more Introduction: Soil and aquatic microorganisms have been the major sources of novel antimicrobial agents over the past years. The continues use of these agents against pathogenic organisms have resulted in multi-drug resistant pathogens, hence, the need to search for new and potent antimicrobial agents. Methods: In this study, microorganisms were isolated from 24 samples collected from soil, the Kakum River (water and sediments) and the Gulf of Guinea (water and sediments). The microorganisms present in these samples were screened for their antimicrobial producing potentials. Results: A total of 138 microorganisms were isolated out of which thirty-six (36) showed growth–inhibitory activity against at least one of the test organisms used for the screening. The extract of a selected isolate, GKSE1, showed antibacterial activity against B. subtilis, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. pyogenes, E. faecalis, E. coli, K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, S. typhorium and S. dysentriae with mi...
Excipients are components other than active ingredients that are added to pharmaceutical formulat... more 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 ...
There has always been a strong human dependency on plants for health purposes and such an importa... more There has always been a strong human dependency on plants for health purposes and such an important relationship should be sustained. Plants remain a repository of drug leads for discovering new pharmaceutical agents for prevention, treatment and improving the quality of health for many people globally. In the effort to improve healthcare services, Ghana put up the Recommended Essential Herbal Medicine List (REHML) consisting of products that are used in the treatment of both Communicable and non-Communicable diseases. To inspire confidence among prescribers and clients of the products it has become necessary to validate the plants and their products. The aim of the study was to identify the medicinal plants' species in the herbal products in Ghana’s REHML commonly used for treatment, the conditions being treated with them and finding published research for the plants therapeutic use. Medicinal plants on the REHML with chances of getting extinct were also assessed. The REHML of ...
The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that BmK AGAP (AGAP) potentiates the analge... more The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that BmK AGAP (AGAP) potentiates the analgesic effect of lidocaine. The chronic constrictive injury was performed on 72 rats to induce a rapid onset and long-lasting pain. The rats were randomly assigned to one of six groups; Group A (n = 12) received an intrathecal administration of saline, Group B (n = 12) received an intrathecal injection of lidocaine, Group C (n = 12) received an intrathecal administration of AGAP, Group D, E, and F (n = 12 each) received an intrathecal administration of lidocaine 0.005 mg/ml + AGAP 25, 50, 100 μg/kg respectively. The von Frey filaments were used to assess mechanical allodynia. Nav1.7 and TRPV1 currents were recorded by the whole-cell aspiration patch-clamp technique, and KCNQ2/3 currents were recorded by the whole-cell drilling patch-clamp technique. The whole-cell aspiration patch-clamp technique showed that AGAP inhibited TRPV1and KCNQ2/3 currents and increased the analgesic effect of lidocaine. AGAP may have a synergistic effect with lidocaine which demonstrates a potential therapeutic approach for optimizing post-operative analgesia.
Natural polymers have become attractive to pharmaceutical researchers and manufacturers as excipi... more Natural polymers have become attractive to pharmaceutical researchers and manufacturers as excipients because of the advantages they possess relative to their semisynthetic and synthetic counterparts. Although pectin from some natural sources has been investigated for use in the pharmaceutical industry as excipients, pectin from okra, which is readily available and used as food in many parts of the world, has not been extensively investigated as a potential control-releasing agent in tablets. This study thus seeks to determine the drug release modifying properties of okra pectin from 6 different genotypes of okra cultivated and available in Ghana. Pectin was extracted from different genotypes of okra, physicochemical properties were characterized, and control release matrix tablets of metformin (F1–F6) were formulated using the wet granulation method with the okra pectin as the drug release modifier, respectively. The drug content, in vitro drug release, and mathematical kinetic mod...
The study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of the Ke-e... more The study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological quality of the Ke-enya stream which is relied on by the inhabitants of Babato-kuma and its surrounding villages for their domestic and Agricultural activities. A total of twenty eight (28) water samples were collected at upstream, midstream and downstream from November 2012 to January 2013 for analysis. Most of the physicochemical parameters were within WHO guidelines recommended for potable water with the exception of Turbidity and Colour which exceeded the WHO standard of 5 (NTU) and 15 (Hz) respectively. Colour ranged from 100 to 130 (Hz) with a mean of 117±9.45 (Hz), whiles Turbidity ranged from 9 to 36 NTU with a mean of 20.78±10.5 NTU. However, Total Coliform (420-1188 CFU/100ml, 757±261), Faecal Coliform (140-623 CFU/100ml, 305±145) E.coli (46-391 CFU/100ml, 135±102) and Total Heterotrophic bacteria (444-3129 CFU/ml, 1341±778) were higher than WHO standards. Bacterial contamination could be traced t...
The three new diterpenes, polylongifoliaic A (I) and polylongifoliaons A (II), are isolated toget... more The three new diterpenes, polylongifoliaic A (I) and polylongifoliaons A (II), are isolated together with nine known diterpenes.
The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) pharmacy prepares paediatric formulations of unavailabl... more The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) pharmacy prepares paediatric formulations of unavailable dosage forms on daily basis for children with a variety of acute and chronic diseases. This study assessed the physical and microbiological quality, and chemical stability of extemporaneous oral paediatric formulations prepared in this facility. The study team surveyed the hospital for unavailable formulations which were requested and prepared extemporaneously in the hospital's pharmacy. Stability studies were then conducted on the six (6) most frequently prepared paediatric suspension formulations namely; acetazolamide, spironolactone. propranolol, furosemide, phenobarbitone and lamivudine. These were prepared in accordance with KATH approved formulation procedures. HPLC and the agar diffusion methods were employed in the analysis. The formulated suspensions of spironolactone and furosemide were microbiologically and chemically stable up to 30 days. Lamivudine suspension was stable both chemically and microbiologically up to 60 days. The acetazolamide suspension was not stable up to a 30 days' mark. Phenobarbitone and propranolol suspensions were highly unstable even within 30 days and therefore, might require refrigeration to maintain their stability. The results showed that the formulated suspensions had sufficient microbial integrity and a range of active content stability, which suggested suitability for use as follows; lamivudine suspension up to 60 days, spironolactone and furosemide suspensions up to 30 days; acetazolamide, phenobarbitone and propranolol suspensions possibly up to 2 weeks, after preparation.
Microorganisms are one of the main sources of antimicrobial agents and over 50% of antibiotics cu... more Microorganisms are one of the main sources of antimicrobial agents and over 50% of antibiotics currently used in hospitals are metabolites from microbes. This study aimed to isolate microorganisms from the Dompoase landfill site, Kwame Nkrumah University Physics Garden, Kosiko River, and Ada Foah seashore of Ghana and screen their metabolites for antimicrobial activity. Forty-eight (48) microorganisms were isolated and their metabolites were screened against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Proteus mirabilis, and Candida albicans using the agar well diffusion method. Ten (10) of the isolates exhibited antimicrobial activity. Isolate DO5, identified as P. aeruginosa isolate, from the Dompoase landfill site was selected for fermentation because it exhibited the highest activity against all the test organisms. DO5 produced optimum antimicrobial activi...
Journal of medical biomedical and applied sciences, Jul 2, 2014
ABSTRACT As part of our ongoing study to screen local herbs for their possible usefulness in chem... more ABSTRACT As part of our ongoing study to screen local herbs for their possible usefulness in chemotherapy of infectious diseases, we assessed extracts from sixteen herbs for their antimicrobial properties and their influence on the activity of tetracycline. The minimum inhibito-ry concentrations (MIC) of tetracycline against Staph. aureus, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli and S. typhi were determined alone and in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of the extracts by the Kirby–Bauer agar diffusion method of antibacterial assay. Twelve of the extracts potentiated the antibacterial activity of tetracycline against at least one of the test bacteria. Extracts of B. arun-dinacea, B. pilosa, C. membranaceus, E. guineensis, H. sabdariffa, J. curcas root, M. oppositifolius, M. lucida and S. campanulata significantly (p&lt;0.05) reduced the MIC of tetracycline against Staph aureus. J. curcas root extract did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity against Staph. ureus, B. subtilis and P. ueruginosa but at 10 μg/ml concentration it potentiated tetracycline activity against these organisms. We hereby report the preliminary investigation of tetracycline activity potentiation by some of our local Ghanaian herbs and that these herbs may provide lead compounds that can serve as adjuvants in tetracycline formulations for the treatment of resistant bacterial infectious diseases usually encountered among HIV/AIDS patients. The results also indicate that, concomitant use of herbal products and antibiotics without prior investigation may lead to toxic side effects and should be discouraged.
Recent studies have provided relevant scientific support for the use of C. membranaceus root in t... more Recent studies have provided relevant scientific support for the use of C. membranaceus root in the treatment of prostate cancers. In the current study, we formulated both liquid and solid oral dosage forms from the ethanol extract of C. membranaceus root and investigated their physicochemical properties, release effects and suitability in comparison with the currently used aqueous decoctions and directly powdered plant material, in order to determine the most appropriate and suitable dosage form that will maximize the benefits of therapy with this species. The prepared solution from the ethanol extract had characteristics similar to the aqueous decoction, but unlike the later, it maintained its specifications and stability throughout the period of study. However, the use of large volumes, convenience and suitability for long term use, will limit their application. The assessed properties of the prepared tablets and capsules met all the specifications required for good quality and t...
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
The stem wood and twigs of Garcinia kola are extensively used in Ghana and other West African cou... more The stem wood and twigs of Garcinia kola are extensively used in Ghana and other West African countries as “chew‐sticks” for personal oral hygiene and the decoction of various parts is used to treat infections and other diseases. In this study we investigated the in vitro antimicrobial properties of a methanolic extract of G. kola stem wood and its toothpaste formulation against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, α‐haemolytic Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans by the standard agar diffusion and broth dilution methods. The cytotoxic activity of the extract against a normal human cell lines (SVK‐14) and three human cancer cell lines (DLD‐1, MCF‐7 and M14) was also assessed by the standard MTT Colorimetric method. All the micro‐organisms were significantly susceptible (p<0.01) to the extract (MIC range 0.25 ‐ 2.0 mg/ml) and the toothpaste (zones of growth‐inh...
Polymeric materials from plants continue to be of interest to pharmaceutical scientists as potent... more Polymeric materials from plants continue to be of interest to pharmaceutical scientists as potential binders in immediate release tablets due to availability, sustainability, and constant supply to feed local pharmaceutical industries. Paracetamol tablet formulations were utilized in investigating the potential binding characteristics of pectin harnessed from various okra genotypes (PC1-PC5) in Ghana. The pectin yields from the different genotypes ranged from 6.12 to 18.84%w/w. The pH of extracted pectin ranged from 6.39 to 6.92, and it had good swelling indices and a low moisture content. Pectin extracted from all genotypes were evaluated as binders (10, 15, and 20%w/v) and compared to tragacanth BP. All formulated tablets (F1-F18) passed the weight uniformity, drug content, hardness, and friability tests. Based on their crushing strength, tablets prepared with pectin from the various genotypes were relatively harder ( P ≤ 0.05 ) than tablets prepared with tragacanth BP. Tablets pr...
Pharmaceutical oral solutions are preparations in which the active ingredients are dissolved in s... more Pharmaceutical oral solutions are preparations in which the active ingredients are dissolved in suitable liquid vehicles such as syrups. This study sought to determine the potential of glucose syrup produced from high quality cassava flour (HQCF) as a vehicle or sweetener in the preparation of paracetamol syrup and simple linctus. Four formulations (two paracetamol syrups (B1 and B2) and two simple linctus formulations (A1 and A2)) were prepared using glucose syrup from HQCF as vehicle or sweetener while two controls (B3 and A3) were prepared for each group using sucrose syrup as vehicle or sweetener. Two brands of paracetamol syrup and simple linctus were purchased from retail pharmacies to serve as standards. Physical and organoleptic parameters such as pH, taste and color, microbial load, and drug content of all formulations were determined. All formulations passed the microbial load and drug content tests as specified by the British Pharmacopoeia. The paracetamol syrups were all...
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