Biological Standardization of Some Herbal Formulations for Antacid Activity

Research Article

Austin Pharmacol Pharm. 2018; 3(1): 1015.

Biological Standardization of Some Herbal Formulations for Antacid Activity

Pawar SS1*, Pande VV1, Girme A2 and Sanklecha VM1

1Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kopargaon, India

2Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd, Kaniya, Gujrat, India

*Corresponding author: Pawar SS, Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kopargaon, India

Received: April 25, 2018; Accepted: May 22, 2018; Published: May 29, 2018

Abstract

Herbal antacids are one of the major classes of over the counter drugs used by patient considering its safety. However, there are many herbal formulations in ayurvedic practice used for treatment of acidity which needs to be standardized. Hence, in present work we attempted to carry out biological standardization of some commonly used herbal formulations for antacid activity using in vitro methods viz-Acid-Neutralizing capacity and buffering capacity. From the results of present work, it may be concluded that HF 1 and HF 4 possess more antacid potential than HF 2 and HF 3 wherein HF 2 has shown varying results in acid neutralizing capacity and buffering capacity tests which may be associated with its herbal composition.

Keywords: Antacid; Herbal formulation; Standardization

Introduction

Acidity is a frequently occurring gastrointestinal disorder that can occur due to diverse reasons which is related to heartburn and gas formation in stomach. In acidity, gastro esophageal reflux disease (Urdhva Gata Amalpitta in Ayurveda) there is a movement of gastric acid from the stomach into the lower esophagus. Gastric acid is a digestive fluid formed in the stomach having a pH of 1 to 2. It is a mixture of hydrochloric acid, large quantities of potassium chloride and sodium chloride. Although there are a number of antacids and anti ulcer drugs, most of these have limitations, side effects and drug interactions [7]. Herbal antacids are one of the major classes of over the counter drugs used by patient considering its safety. However, there are many herbal formulations in ayurvedic practice used for treatment of acidity which needs to be standardized. Hence, in present study we attempted to carry out biological standardization of some polyherbal formulations for antacid activity using in vitro methods.

World Health Organization (WHO) estimated about 80% of the world population using herbal and other traditional remedy for their primary health care needs. Herbals are traditionally considered harmless and increasingly being consumed by people without prescription. However, some can cause health problems, some are not effective and some may interact with other drugs [3].

Herbal medicines, also known as botanical medicines or phytomedicines, uses herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations, and finished herbal products that contain parts of plants or other plant materials as active ingredients. Herbal remedies are complex chemical combinations prepared from plants that are extensively used in health management in both urbanized and developing countries [1].

Materials and Methods

Materials

Herbal drugs were selected for the study on their traditional use in day to day life in Indian foods. The Selected herbal formulation were procured from Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd, Dharmaj region and labelled as HF 1, HF 2, HF 3 and HF 4. The composition of Selected Herbal antacid formulation is as follows Table 1.

Antacid activity

Acid-neutralizing capacity (ANC): The Acid-Neutralizing capacity test was carried out as per USP 29. The test was conducted at temperature 37±3OC. A pH meter was standardized using the 0.05M potassium biphthalate and 0.05M potassium tetraoxalate standardized buffers. Magnetic stirrer was used to produce the stirring rate of 300±30 rpm. 0.5gm of each formulation was transferred to 250ml beaker and 70ml distilled water was added to it. It was mixed with magnetic stirrer for 1min. Then 30ml 1.0N HCl was added to the test solutions with continuous stirring for 15min. Excess HCl was titrated with 0.5N NaOH to attain a stable pH of 3.5. The number 0f mEq of acid consumed was calculated by formula:

Total mEq= (30 × NHCL) - (VNaoH× NNAOH)

Where NHCl and NNaOH are normality of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide respectively and VNaOH is volume of sodium hydroxide and the result were expressed as total mEq per gm of substance [8].

Buffering capacity (BC): A quantity of 2gm of finely ground powder or its equivalent of formulations was added to 100ml of 0.1N HCI and kept at 37oC with constant stirring. The pH of the mixture was determined after the intervals of 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 minutes. A quantity of 20ml of the mixture was then removed by a pipette and replaced by 20ml fresh 0.1N HCI. The process was repeated at 10 minutes interval until a pH below 2.75 was reached which shows that the buffering power of antacid was spent out [9].