Comprehensive Review on Ficus Deltoidea Effervescent Mouthwash Formulation in Treating Oral Pathogens

Ficus deltoidea or its well-known local name Mas Cotek belongs to the family of Moracaeae. This native plant is commonly found in Malaysia, other tropical and subtropical countries. Oral periodontal disease is an alarming disease and the utilization of herbal plants in treating oral pathogens has raised attention and concern. Therefore the main objective of this study was to review the effectiveness of effervescent mouthwash formulation of the FDL on treating oral pathogens. Plaque accumulation and oral microorganisms are the main predisposing factors to oral periodontal diseases. Herbal mouthwash has been of particular interest these days to treat oral pathogens. Different effervescent agents such as citric acid, tartaric acid, and sodium bicarbonate were used in formulating effervescent mouthwash by different methods with varying concentrations. FDL leaves have claimed to possess different properties such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties which are helpful in treating many diseases. Post compression parameters such as effervescent time, moisture content, and in vitro antibacterial test were reviewed in this study. FDL has shown a strong correlation to the presence of high content of polyphenols, flavonoids, saponin, tannins, and triterpenoids. In conclusion, the type of preparation choosen is by using wet granulation method and the suitable ratio is 2:1.

FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EFFERVESCENT TABLETS ALONG WITH LEVOCETIRIZINE DIHYDROCHLORIDE

Objective: Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is also known as “Xyzol.” Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is a second-generation piperazine derivative, potent H1 selective agent. Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is the active R (-) enantiomer of cetirizine dihydrochloride. In the case of an allergic or histaminic reaction, the medication must respond rapidly. Many older patients, infants, and dysphagia patients have trouble swallowing traditional tablets or capsules. Hence, a need exists for a relatively fast-acting effervescent tablet form. Methods: The tablets were prepared by direct compression method using citric acid and sodium bicarbonate as effervescent agents. Then, they were tested for parameters of pre- and post-compression. Tablets were evaluated for studies of general appearance, uniformity of substance, hardness, friability, and in vitro dissolution. Results: More than 90% of the drug was released from almost all the formulations within 1 min. More formulations underwent rapid 90-day stability trials. Conclusion: No major changes in the taste, disintegration, and dissolution profiles were found in tablets.

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MICROSPHERE BASED ORO DISPERSIBLE TABLETS OF SUMATRIPTAN SUCCINATE

Sumatriptan succinate (SS) is a drug used in the treatment of migraine headaches, but suffers from low patient compliance due to its unpalatable bitter taste. The purpose of the present work was to prepare taste-masked oro dispersible tablets (ODTs) of SS by incorporating drug loaded microspheres into tablets for use in patients experiencing difficulty in swallowing. Microspheres loaded with SS were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. Eudragit EPO, a pH-sensitive aminoalkylmethacrylate copolymer, was used for coating the drug particles, acetone as solvent for the polymer and light liquid paraffin as an encapsulating medium. Drug : polymer ratio of 1:1 was considered to be optimized formulation with a yield of 99.96%, entrapment efficiency of 61.55%, particle size ranging from 30.32 – 90.96μm and in vitro drug release of 85.06% within an hour. FTIR studies suggested absence of drug-excipient interaction. Tablets prepared by direct compression containing microspheres and effervescent agents were evaluated for pre-compression and post-compression parameters. The wetting time, in vitro dispersion time and in vitro disintegration time of the tablets were found to be 39 sec, 35 sec and 32 sec, respectively. The drug release from the tablet was about 85.44% within an hour. The SEM of final ODTs revealed that the microspheres remained intact even after compression. Stability studies indicated that the selected formulation was stable. The results obtained suggested that effective taste-masking was achieved for SS using the technique of microencapsulation and ODTs of acceptable characteristics were obtained by adding effervescent agents followed by direct compression.

TASTE MASKING TECHNIQUES: A REVIEW

Taste masking is of critical importance for active ingredients with an undesirable taste, due to the need for increased patient compliance, especially in pediatric and geriatric population. Various techniques for taste masking involve addition of flavours, sweeteners and amino acids, use of effervescent agents, prodrug formation, salt preparation, adsorption, formation of complex with ion- exchange resins, inclusion complexes and molecular complexes, microencapsulation, granulation, viscosity modifiers, multiple emulsion, liposomes and solid dispersion systems. In pharmaceutical industry, taste masking involves the development of a system that prevents the active substance from interacting with taste buds, thereby reducing the negative sensory response. This article reviews the different technologies which are used for masking the bitter taste and methods for evaluation of taste masking efficacy.

Pharmacological Management of Esophageal Food Bolus Impaction

Background. Soft esophageal bolus impaction is an emergency that requires skilled endoscopic removal if persistent obstructive symptoms do not resolve spontaneously after careful observation. Expedited care of these patients is crucial to avoid respiratory and mechanical complications. Other possible options for management include medical agents used to manage it prior to performing endoscopy if access to endoscopy was not available or declined by the patient.Aim. To review the available pharmacological and other nonmedicinal options and their mechanism of relief for soft esophageal impaction.Method. Pubmed, Medline and Ovid were used for search of MESH terms pertinent including “foreign body, esophageal, esophageal bolus and medical” for pharmacological and non medicinial agents used for management of esophageal soft bolus impaction as well as manual review of the cross-references.Results. Several agents were identified including Buscopan, Glucagon, nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and papaveretum. Non medicinal agents are water, effervescent agents, and papain. No evidence was found to suggest preference or effectiveness of use of a certain pharmacological agent compared to others. Buscopan, Glucagon, benzodiazepines, and nitrates were studied extensively and may be used in selected patients with caution. Use of papain is obsolete in management of soft bolus impaction.