Intrinsic and Functional Properties of a Gelling Gum from Dioclea reflexa: A Potential Pharmaceutical Excipient.
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Date
2012-01
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Abstract
Aims: Dioclea reflexa Hook F., is a woody vine widely distributed within tropical Africa
and South America, in Nigeria flour prepared from the seeds is used as a soup thickener.
The objectives of this study were to extract and modify the native gum from the seeds of
D. reflexa, and evaluate their physicochemical and functional properties as a potential
pharmaceutical excipient.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw
Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development,
Abuja, Nigeria. Between January 2009 and October 2010. And Department of
Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
Nigeria. Between June 2010 and October 2011.
Methodology: Native D. reflexa gum (DR-gum) was extracted from the seeds of
D. reflexa and modified by ionotropic gelation in calcium chloride solution. The gum’s gel
clarity and swelling in buffer solutions of different pH (4, 7, and 9.2), as well as the
moisture sorption characteristics at different relative humidity (RH) were determined in
relation to guar gum (G-gum). Also, the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis as well as the powders’ flow properties were
evaluated.
Results: DR-gum, XDR-gum and G-gum are typical hydrogels showing considerable
responsiveness in swelling and gel clarity to changes in pH. The DSC thermographs of
DR-gum and G-gum were similarly characterized by a glass transition and a cold
crystallization transitions peaks as compared to the glass transition and melting transition peak of XDR-gum. The moisture sorption profile indicated that DR-gum and G-gum are
moderately hygroscopic while XDR-gum is slightly hydroscopic. The FT-IR of the gums
showed the basic differences in the functional groups of the respective polymer chain
network. The bulk particles of the three gums showed comparative good flow.
Conclusion: The basic similarities and differences in the physicochemical and functional
properties of DR-gum and XDR-gum, and G-gum indicate their potential as a
pharmaceutical excipient.
Description
Keywords
Guar gum, Dioclea reflexa gum, crosslinked Dioclea reflexa gum, physicochemical properties, functional properties
Citation
Builders Philip F, Mbah Chukwuemeka C, Attama Anthony A. Intrinsic and Functional Properties of a Gelling Gum from Dioclea reflexa: A Potential Pharmaceutical Excipient. British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2012 Jan-Mar; 2(1): 50-68.