Planta Med 2013; 79 - PN64
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1352407

Formulation of herbal drugs

CG Michel 1, DI Nesseem 2, TS El-Alfy 1, NS El-Dine 1, SM Fahmy 1, SM Ezzat 1
  • 1Faculty of Pharmacy – Cairo university
  • 2National Organisation for drugs and Research – Cairo

Among the newly studied medicinal plants is Zizyphus spina-christi L. which was investigated for its antidiabetic activity against type II diabetes. Formulation of different leaf extracts and standardization of the chosen extract using its major identified saponin as active marker was performed using HPLC. Evaluation of anti-diabetic activity of extract (200 mg/kg b.w.), plain and formulated in STZ-diabetic rats was performed. Percentage yield of extracts, marker yield and antihyperglycemic potencies, depending on seasonal variation were investigated as well as chemical stability, study of storage conditions, shelf life T90 prediction by accelerated studies.

The marked increased use of complementary and alternative medicine has augmented the interest in Phytopharmaceuticals. Researches on medicinal plants were performed to introduce new medicinal plants formulation into the market.

A second idea was applied using Nigella sativa L. through a bioactivity guided fractionation of different seed waste extracts to evaluate their hepatoprotective activities by both biochemical and histopathological investigations. The aqueous extract attenuated the CCl4-induced liver damage. Fractionated of this extract into its component, protein, saponin and polyphenol fractions were evaluated by analytical procedures. It is concluded that the protein fraction exhibited promising hepatoprotective effect in the management of different liver disorders. This aqueous extract was formulated into soft uncoated gelatin capsules (Su1-Su6) in a dose of 200 mg/kg b. w. and the formulations were evaluated for their immunostimmulant and hepatoprotective activities. Formula Su3 was chosen being of highest activity and optimum release to be coated with two film-coating solutions (Sc3) for site-specific delivery and sustaining the release. Quality control of formulated extract (Sc3: Eu.S-100) was performed using protein as active marker.