PRODUCTION AND EVALUATION OF CHEWABLE TABLETS OBTAINED FROM EXTRACTS OF ZANTHOXYLUM TESSMANNII
OKORIE O*1, NZEKWE IT2, INYANG-ETOH AB1
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria 500001;
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, 420281 Nigeria
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 7(2): 50-56; Nov/Dec 2015
ABSTRACT
Following claims of the use of the root bark of Zanthoxylum tessmannii in remedies for mouth and throat infections, particularly pharyngitis and oral thrush, it became necessary to examine the possibility of formulating the extract into chewable tablets. The root bark was extracted using different solvents, namely methanol, chloroform, n-hexane and ethylacetate. The phytochemical composition of the methanolic extract was established and the activity of the extracts was tested against clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Candida albicans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as laboratory strains of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus using standard methods. The extract was formulated into chewable tablets using wet granulation with compression in a tableting machine. The compressed tablets were evaluated for friability, hardness and uniformity of weight. The phytochemical tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, carbohydrate/sugars and trace amounts of tannins, resins, glycosides and oils. The extract showed significant activity against Candida albicans and Streptococcus spp. The chewable tablets passed the test for uniformity of weight but fell short on hardness and friability. We conclude that the root and bark extract of Zanthoxylum tessmannii can be formulated into chewable tablets for oral thrush and other conditions suitable for paediatric and geriatric patients, with an optimized formula
*Author for correspondence: ogbo34@yahoo.com