EVALUATION OF THE SUSPENDING PROPERTIES OF A NEW PLANT GUM IN SULPHAMETOXAZOLE FORMULATIONS

Abstract

Suspension dosage forms require the use of suspending agents in order to deliver a uniform dose of the active ingredient. The purpose of this study is to investigate the properties of a new plant gum as a cheap and effective natural polymer in the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. The gum obtained from the incised trunk of Cedrela odorata (family Meliaceae) was compared with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and gelatin in Sulphamethoxazole suspension formulations at concentrations of 1.0 – 4.0%w/w. Assessment parameters were sedimentation volume, flow rate, viscosity and the effect of temperature on these parameters. The suspending characteristics of Cedrela gum compared well with that of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose in term of sedimentation volume, flow rate and viscosity and the natural gum could be used as a substitute in pharmaceutical suspensions.