Some Physical Properties of <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i> and <i>Garcinia kola</i> Microspheres Prepared with High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Glycols

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The effect of polymer concentrations on some of the physicochemical properties of Vernonia amygdalina (Linn) and Garcinia kola (Heckel) extracts loaded microspheres was evaluated. Microspheres of the aqueous extracts was prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation using polyethylene glycol (PEG) mixtures of molecular weight 4000 and 6000 at different ratios of 1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 while the amounts of the extracts incorporated was constant for all ratios. The microspheres were evaluated for their particles sizes, yield, flavonoid content, loading efficiency, moisture loss and flow properties. In-vitro release studies were carried out by monitoring flavonoid release rate from the microspheres. The microspheres were spherical and uniformly shaped and exhibited good flow characteristics. Their size range, yield, loading efficiency, moisture loss and flavonoid content were 76 -83 μm, 49 -76 %, 47 -82 %, 2.18 -4.60 % and 17.10 -23.80 mg%, respectively for V. amygdalina and 144 -160 μm, 50 -68 %, 51 -68 %, 3.00 -4.41 % and 20.00 -28.70 mg%, respectively for G. kola. Flavonoids release from the microsphere was up to 90 % within 1 h and it followed a matrix release kinetic model with a super case-II transport mechanism. The concentrations of the polymers affected the yield, loading efficiency, moisture loss and the extent of flavonoid release of the microspheres but had no effect on their particle sizes and flavonoid content. These results may find useful application in the delivery of V. amygdalina and G. kola extracts since the combination of PEG of different molecular weights resulted in microspheres with good physicochemical and release properties. © JASEM http://dx