Pectin from Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Has Potential as a Drug Release Modifier in Matrix Tablets

Abstract

Natural polymers have become attractive to pharmaceutical researchers and manufacturers as excipients because of the advantages they possess relative to their semisynthetic and synthetic counterparts. Although pectin from some natural sources has been investigated for use in the pharmaceutical industry as excipients, pectin from okra, which is readily available and used as food in many parts of the world, has not been extensively investigated as a potential control-releasing agent in tablets. This study thus seeks to determine the drug release modifying properties of okra pectin from 6 different genotypes of okra cultivated and available in Ghana. Pectin was extracted from different genotypes of okra, physicochemical properties were characterized, and control release matrix tablets of metformin (F1–F6) were formulated using the wet granulation method with the okra pectin as the drug release modifier, respectively. The drug content, in vitro drug release, and mathematical kinetic modeling of drug release from the matrix tablets were studied. Drug release profiles of formulated matrix tablets were compared to an existing (innovator) brand of metformin sustained-release tablet on the market using the similarity and difference factors, respectively. The extracted pectin had percentage yields ranging from 6 to 20% w/w with swelling indexes and water-holding capacities between 300–500% and 9-10 mL/g, respectively, and pH within 6.20–6.90. All the formulated batches passed the drug content test (90–105%) and produced the optimal release of metformin (>80%) after 24 hours. Different batches of formulated tablets exhibited different mechanisms of drug release with batches F1, F2, F5, and F6 being similar (ƒ2 values being >50 and ƒ1 values <15) to the innovator brand. Pectin from the 6 different genotypes of okra studied has the potential for use as drug release modifiers in pharmaceutical manufacturing of control release matrix tablets and production of more affordable medicines.

Potential and Comparative Tablet Disintegrant Properties of Pectin Obtained from Five Okra Genotypes in Ghana

“…Its potential for supplying high yields of pectin for pharmaceutical use is a promising area for pharmaceutical scientists to explore [15]. Even though pectin from okra has been investigated and shown to have good drug release modifying properties, there is little information on the potential binding and disintegrating properties of okra pectin [16][17][18][19]. Several genotypes of okra are available in Ghana and are widely cultivated in almost every region with variations in duration of cultivation, time of maturation, pod size, and shape [20].…”

Effect of Ripening and Extraction Method on the Physicochemical Properties of Pectin Extracted from Peels of Apem and Apantu Plantain Cultivars in Ghana

“…Pectin is commonly extracted from cell wall material using aqueous solutions, enzymes, bufers, chelating agents, diluted acids, or sodium hydroxide [13,14]. Te chemical properties of pectin, such as the concentration of galacturonic acid, methoxyl groups, degree of esterifcation, and acetyl value, determine its suitability for diverse use [15][16][17]. Pectin has a wide range of structural variations depending on the kind of plant material from which it is isolated.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Hydrogel Films and Nanoparticles Based on Low-Esterified Pectin for Anticancer Applications

“…Pectins could be easily applied for the production of films, microparticles, microcapsules and fibers [ 23 , 24 , 25 ]. It is worth noting that there are many difficulties in the synthesis of pectin nanoparticles (NPs), as evidenced by the limited number of works.…”

“…Pectin helps to create a supportive microenvironment for neural cells, modulate cell migration and affect tissue-repair processes [ 8 ]. Moreover, chemical modifications of naturally produced pectin or improvements in the functional supplements give great opportunities for the development of pectin-based biomaterials targeted to diversified biomedical applications [ 8 , 25 , 26 ].…”