Abstract

Aspirin is being extensively used in Yemen as analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-platelets aggregation for prophylaxis of thrombotic heart diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate 2 common brands of aspirin present in the market, weight variation, disintegration and dissolution, hardness and drug content and the effect of Khat chewing on their bioavailability. 28 healthy male volunteers (14 Khat chewing and 14 Khat non-chewing) were enrolled in the study; each received a single dose (600 mg) of aspirin. Urine samples were collected for 24 h. The urine concentrations of salicylic acid were then determined using UV-Visible Spectrophotometer. Results obtained revealed that asweight variation, hardness, friability, dissolution, disintegration and drug content for both brands (a, b) were closely related to each other and within the acceptable pharmacopeial limits. For in vivo study, the results obtained showed that higher cumulative percentage excreted after 24 h, higher peak height (mg/h), higher percentage of bioavailability and the higher extent of absorption in Khat non-chewing volunteers than Khat chewing volunteers. While longer time of elimination was observed in Khat chewing volunteers than Khat non-chewing volunteers. In conclusion, we suggest that Khat chewing had a worse effect on the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties of the studied drug.

Keywords: In vitro, in vivo, aspirin, Khat chewing.