Abstract

Natural plant mucilage has gained importance over synthetic ones because of low toxicity, low cost and good availability. The objective of the study was to search for a cheap and effective natural raw material that can serve as an alternative suspending agent in the formulation of acetaminophen suspension. The phytochemical and the physicochemical properties of the mucilage of Ipomoea batatas L. were studied. The suspending properties of mucilage extract of I. batatas L. were evaluated comparatively with that of acacia and sodium alginate using model formulations at concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20% w/v. The suspensions were evaluated for rheological properties, sedimentation profile and stability studies. The results showed the presence of flavonoids, saponin, protein, carbohydrate and reducing sugars. The rheological properties of suspension showed that increase in concentration increased the viscosity of suspension, while increase in temperature did not significantly increased the viscosity of suspension (p < 0.05). The order of stability of suspension in terms of sedimentation profile ranked thus: E (20% w/v potato starch) > D (15% w/v potato starch) > F (10% w/v sodium alginate) > C (10% w/v potato starch) > B (5% w/v potato starch). These results indicate that mucilage from I. batatas L. in acetaminophen suspension has low sedimentation rate, medium viscosity and easily dispersible and can therefore serve as suspending agent in formulations of suspensions of sparingly soluble drugs.

Key words: Suspensions, potato starch powder, acetaminophen, rheological properties, physicochemical properties.