Design and Evaluation of Gastro Floating Erodible Tablets of Aqueous Extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus Stem Bark for Targeted Management of Gastric Ulcers

Resum

Background: Medicinal plants containing bioactive phytochemicals have attracted interest as potential anti-ulcer agents because of their reported antimicrobial and gastroprotective activities.

Objectives: This study aims to formulate floating erodible tablets containing dried aqueous extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus stem bark, evaluate their physico-mechanical properties and in vitro antimicrobial efficacy against Helicobacter pylori.

Methods: Antimicrobial efficacy of the extract was evaluated by agar-diffusion method. Nine tablet batches containing 200 mg of extract were prepared using Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), sodium alginate (SA) and their blends at concentrations of 5, 10, 15 %w/w. The tablets were evaluated for uniformity of weight, hardness, friability, floating lag time (FLT), total floating time (FBT) and swelling index. Antimicrobial activity of optimized tablets was evaluated against Helicobacter pylori.

Results: All the tablets had uniform weights, hardness was between 4.04 and 6.06 kgF, friability was < 1 %. FLT ranged between 0.27 and 38.85 min, and all tablets exhibited FBT > 24 h. Swelling indices showed tablets containing SA>those of HPMC while polymer blend tablets exhibited intermediate swelling. Tablets formulated with 15 % w/w polymer blends exhibited superior antimicrobial inhibition against Helicobacter pylori (zone of inhibition; 24.0 mm) than omeprazole (16.0 mm) but comparable to tetracycline (29.0 mm) while tablets containing single polymers showed significantly less activity (19.0 and 20.5 mm).

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the potential of an erodible floating tablet formulation of the extract of Anogeissus leiocarpus stem bark in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori associated stomach ulcers.