Chime S.A., Brown S.A., Ugwoke C.E.C., Agubata C.O., Ubah J.O., Onunkwo G.C.
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Department of Pharmacognosy and Env
Chime, S.A., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Brown, S.A., Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Ugwoke, C.E.C., Department of Pharmacognosy and Environmental Medicines, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Agubata, C.O., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Ubah, J.O., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Onunkwo, G.C., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
The objective of the work was to formulate Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) leaves tablets using acacia and gelatin as binders respectively at a concentrations of 2 %, 4 %, 6 % and 8 %w/w, and to evaluate the phytochemistry of Cymbopogon citratus. The granules were prepared using methanolic extract of Cymbopogon citratus by wet granulation method. The flow properties of the granules were studied. The tablets were evaluated using the necessary official and unofficial tests. The methanol extract of the plant leaves was screened for phytochemical constituents using standard procedures of analysis. The results obtained from micromeritic studies showed that the values obtained were within the standard acceptable limits required for formulation of quality tablets. The mechanical properties of the tablets were significantly affected by the type of binder and concentration used during formulation (p < 0.05). Tablets formulated with 4 %, 6 % and 8 % binder complied with BP specification of ≥ 5KgF. Also, C. citratus tablets formulated with gelatin passed the disintegration time tests for normal release tablets, while, tablets formulated with 2 - 8 % acacia failed the disintegration time test for normal release tablets. The results of the phytochemical analysis showed that alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, reducing sugars, steroids, tannins, glycosides, proteins, flavonoids, resins, oils and terpenoids were present at different concentrations, while acid compounds were absent.
