Available online on 15.07.2023 at http://jddtonline.info

Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics

Open Access to Pharmaceutical and Medical Research

Copyright  © 2023 The   Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC 4.0 which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided the original author and source are credited

Open Access   Full Text Article                                                                                                                              Research Article 

Formulation and evaluation of Polyherbal tablet by using Neem, Tulsi, Turmeric and Ginger extract

Souvik Paul, Tanmoy Dey, Prabin Koirala, Sidhant Tamang, Soumik Bhattacharya, Rajat Das * 

Department of Pharmacognosy, Himalayan Pharmacy Institute, Majhitar, Sikkim-737136, India

INTRODUCTION:

Traditional medicine is practised over the world. It is now the subject of intense activity of studies on various plant species and their therapeutic tenets ¹. Because of their wide therapeutic range—effective at low doses and safe at large doses, but with fewer negative effects when misused—polyherbal formulations are quite popular. The different plant parts—seed, root, bark, stem, gum, leaves, flowers, fruit, etc.—are utilised in Ayurvedic therapy ². The polyherbal tablet which we have made is to reduce cough, cold and soothe sore throat ³. We chose the majority of these medicinal plants for our study and used QbD approaches to prepare polyherbal tablet formulation ⁴. The ingredients which have been used have effective results which not only cures but also boost up immunity. We have used Tulsi this on lengthy racemes, the purple blooms are arranged in tight whorls ⁵.  This are the aroma compounds found in Tulsi essential oil ⁶. Next is turmeric it has Some 34 essential oils are present in turmeric, among which turmerone, germacrone, atlantone and zingiberene are major constituents ^7-9. The main chemical constituent of turmeric is curcumin has the potential to reduce inflammation in the body linked to excessive coughing and sneezing ^10,12. Ginger it is the most common herbal remedy for cough and cold provides negligible content of essential nutrients, with the exception of manganese (70% DV) ¹². It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity thus it can reduce cough and sore throat. The last ingredient is neem leaves ¹³. The major chemical constituents of neem are terpenes and limonoids ¹⁴. Neem leaves contain protein, phosphorus, vitamin C, carotene, and several fatty acids. They also contain amino acids such as glutamic acid, alanine, praline, glutamine and cystine ¹⁵. 

Aim and Objectives: 

Aim:  To prepare and evaluate polyherbal tablet.

Objective: 

1. To prepare the extract of Ocimum tenuiflorum, Curcuma longa, Azadirachta indica, Zingiber officinale. 
2. Formulation of Polyherbal Tablet by using four plant extract and starch (binder), tale (Flow ability enhancer) as excipients.
3. Evaluation of prepared tablets with different Parameters. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

PLANT COLLECTION: 

Collection of Neem -

The leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem) were collected from Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. After that the leaves were shade dried and coarsely powdered using mortar and pestle.

Collection of Tulsi -

The leaves of Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi) were collected from Dhubri, Assam. After that the leaves were shade dried and coarsely powdered using mortar and pestle.

Collection of Ginger -

The rhizomes of Zingiber officinal (Ginger) were collected from Majhitar, Sikkim. After that the leaves were shade dried and coarsely powdered using mortar and pestle.

Collection of Turmeric -

The rhizomes of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) were collected from Cooch Behar, West Bengal.  After that the leaves were shade dried and coarsely powdered using mortar and pestle.

CHEMICALS REQUIRED:

Chloroform, Distilled water, Starch, Talc etc.

PREPARATION OF SOLVENT EXTRACT:

Extraction of Azadirachta indica:

a. Fresh neem leaves are collected and shed dried for 15 days.

b. The dried leaves are then powdered using a motor and pestle. 

c. The Powdered Neem leaves are sieved and weighed 38.84 g and macerated in a beaker using 600 ml of distilled water with continuous stirring.

d. The prepared mixture is kept covered with aluminum foil and kept for 3 days for maceration while stirring in between, and then the mixture was filtered using a filter paper.

e. The excess solvent is evaporated using a Rotary evaporator and then the remaining mixture was dried on a hot water bath.

    f. The dried extract was collected and kept in desiccator for cooling.

    g. The prepared extract is weighed.

Extraction of Ocimum tenuiflorum:

a. Fresh Tulsi leaves are collected and shed dried for 7 days.

b. The dried leaves are then powdered using a motor and pestle. 

c. The Powdered Tulsi leaves are sieved and weighed 25.72 g and macerated in a beaker using 200 ml of distilled water with continuous stirring.

d. The prepared mixture is kept covered with aluminium foil and kept for 3 days for maceration while stirring in between, and then the mixture was filtered using a filter paper.

e. The Solvents mixture was dried on a hot water bath.

f. The dried extract was collected and kept in desiccator for cooling.

g. The prepared extract is weighed.

Extraction of Curcuma longa:

        a. Fresh Turmeric rhizomes are collected and shed dried for 7 days.

        b. The dried Turmeric rhizomes are then powdered using a motor and pestle. 

        c. The Powdered Turmeric rhizomes are sieved and weighed 48.87 g and macerated in a    beaker using 800 ml of distilled water with continuous stirring.

        d. The prepared mixture is kept covered with aluminum foil and kept for 3 days for maceration while stirring in between, and then the mixture was filtered using a filter paper.

         e. The excess solvent is evaporated using a Rotary evaporator and then the remaining mixture was dried on a hot water bath.

        f. The dried extract was collected and kept in desiccator for cooling.

       g. The prepared extract is weighed.

Extraction of Zingiber officinal:

a. Fresh Ginger rhizomes are collected and shed dried for 10 days.

b. The dried Ginger rhizomes are then powdered using a motor and pestle. 

c. The Powdered Ginger rhizomes are sieved and weighed 19.88 g and macerated in a beaker using 200 ml of distilled water with continuous stirring.

d. The prepared mixture is kept covered with aluminium foil and kept for 3 days for maceration while stirring in between, and then the mixture was filtered using a filter paper.

e. The Solvents mixture was dried on a hot water bath.

f. The dried extract was collected and kept in desiccator for cooling.

g. The prepared extract is weighed.

FORMULATION OF POLYHERBAL TABLETS:

Procedure:             

1. A mixture of powdered herbs of each 200gm weighted separately to prepare 25 (approx.) tablets.
2. After weighing, the powder herbs were pulverized properly using mortor pestle.
3. After uniform mixing of all the particles, sieving was performed by using sieve No. 85.
4. After that the powder material were taken for compression. By automatic tablet compression machine, 25 tablets were compressed. This is how poly-herbal tablets were prepared.

EVALUATION OF POLYHERBAL TABLETS:

1. Colour and appearances: The compressed tablets were examined for the colour and appearance.
2. Thickness: Dimension of the tablets measured using a calibrated dial calliper. Five tablets sample formulation are picked out randomly and its thickness is measured individually. Mean value of thickness is observed. 
3. Weight variation: Twenty tablets were selected at random and weighed individually. The individual weights were compared with the average weight for determination of weight variation. The percentage deviation was calculated and then compared with IP limit. 
4. Hardness: Five tablets were selected at random individually. The amount of force needed to crush tablets during a compression test. The procedure for assessing a tablet's hardness involves crushing the tablet between two jaws. The Pfizer tester was used to determine the tablet's hardness. kg/cm2 is the unit of hardness.

Figure 9: Vernier calliper

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

1. Colour and appearance: Five tablets were taken for evaluation of colour and appearance. It was found that all tablets were brownish yellow in colour and pills like structure.
2. Thickness: Five tablets were taken for evaluation of thickness and the thickness was found to be around 2.5%.
3. Weight variation: 25 tablets were measured individual and average weight was found to be 0.195gm and was about 3.8%.
4. Hardness: 5 tablets were tested foe their hardness and has produced crack at 4.1Kg/ .
5. Friability: The friability test was conducted for 4mins and the weight change was observed at 0.4%.
6. Disintegration time: The disintegration time was observed to be 20secs.

Table 1: Values on different evaluation parameters

DISCUSSION:

The prepared poly herbal tablet appeared to be brownish yellow and had no odour. The tablets were measured singularly and the average weight was found to be 0.195g. The parameter range of tablets were carefully taken out. The tablets thickness was measured that was 2.5% which is between the ideal range.  The hardness of the tablet was around 4.5 Kg/  where the ideal range must be 2.5 – 5 Kg/  . The tablets disintegration time was determined by using 6 tablets in disintegration test apparatus where the water temperature was maintained   37    and the disintegration time was about 20 secs. The friability of the tablet was measured with the help of Roche Friabilator for 4 mins and then %friability was calculated and the result was 0.8 % which is in the ideal range of 0.5 – 1.0 %. 

CONCLUSION:

Polyherbal tablet using ginger, turmeric, neem, tulsi extract was prepared and evaluations were carried out for the following parameters physical appearance /visual inspection, thickness, weight variation, hardness, friability and disintegration time. The formulated polyherbal tablet was not only safer than the chemical agents but also reduces Cough and cold. This tablet reduces the irritation in the throat and clears the throat from cough within no time. A radical approach in popularising the polyhedral tablet which will be used for removing cough and cold is to change the consumer’s expectation with emphasis on safety and efficacy. The evaluation parameter data was shown in acceptance range. Further studies are appreciated for comparing this preparation with the marketed one and establishing some effective results for better quality and safety use of the Tablet.

Acknowledgement: The authors would like to thank Himalayan Pharmacy Institute for providing the facility to carry out this research.

Author’s Contribution: Soumik Bhattacharya, Souvik Paul, Tanmoy Dey, Prabin Koirala, Sidhant Tamang and Rajat Das conceived and planned the experiments. Soumik Bhattacharya, Souvik Paul, Tanmoy Dey, Prabin Koirala and Sidhant Tamang carried out the experiments. All the authors contributed to sample preparation. Tanmoy Dey, Prabin Koirala and Sidhant Tamang contributed to the interpretation of the results. Soumik Bhattacharya and Souvik Paul took the lead in writing the manuscript. All authors provided critical feedback and helped shape the research, analysis and manuscript.

Funding Source: NA

Conflicts of Interest: There are no conflicts of interest among the authors.

Ethical Approval: NA

REFERENCES:

1. Jain PK, Agrawal RK, "Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Properties of Developed Mono- and Polyherbal Formulations" AJES, 2008 ;22(3): 213-220

2. Mauya H, Kumar T, "Formulization, Standardization and Evaluation of Poly Herbal Tablets" IJAP, 2019; 11(1):158-167. https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2019v11i1.30113

3. Singh Ashwinder, Avupati Rao Vasudeva, "Development and Validation of UV-Spectrophotometric method for the Estimation of Curcumin in Standardised Polyherbal Formulations" JYP, 2017; 9(4):491-495. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2017.9.96

4. Koli R, Mannur VS, Gudasi S, Singadi R, Nashipudi A, "Journal of Medical Pharmaceutical and Allied Science" MPS, 2022; 11(6):5476-5484. https://doi.org/10.55522/jmpas.V11I6.4520

5. Warrier, PK. Indian Medicinal Plants Orient Longman.1st ed. Chennai: Orient Longman Pvt Ltd; 1995.P.168.

6. Yamani Hanna A, Edwin Panag C, Mantri Nitin, Deighton Marganet A, "Frontiers in Microbiology"FM, 2016; 7(681):1-10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2016.00681

7. How to Use Neem- Uses and benefits. Mumbai, Maharashtra: Cutingle Prakashi; 2023. Available at: https://prakasti.com/how-to-use-neem-uses-and-benefits/ .

8. Kumar R, Mehta S, Pathak SR. Bioactive Constituents of Neem. Tiwari A, Tiwari S, editors. Synthesis of Medicinal Agents from Plants 1st ed Sacramento: Elsevier; 2008. P.75-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102071-5.00004-0

9. Chemistry of Neem. Burlington, Massachusetts: Neem Foundation; 2014.Available at: https://neemfoundation.org/about-neem/chemistry-of-neem/.

10. Hong SL, Lee G, Rahman Syarifah Nur Sayed Abdul, Ahmed Hamdi Omer Abdalla, Awang Khalijah, Nugroho Nurfina Aznam, Malek Sri Nuresti Abd, "Essential Oil Content of the Rhizome of Curcuma purpurascens Bl. (Temu Tis) and Its Antiproliferative Effect on Selected Human Carcinoma Cell Lines" TSWJ; 2014; 1-7 https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/397430

11. Vaughn AR., Pourang A, Clark AK., Burney W, Sivamani RK, "Dietary supplementation with turmeric polyherbal formulation decreases facial redness: a randomized double-blind controlled pilot study" JIM, 2019; 17(1):20-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2018.11.004

12. Tayyem RF, Heath DD, Al-Delaimy WK, Rock CL, "Curcumin Content of Turmeric and Curry Powders" NC, 2006; 55(2):126-131. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327914nc5502_2

13. Hu Y, Kong W, Yang Xihui, Xie Liwei, Wen Jing, Yang Meihua; "GC-MS combined with chemometric techniques for the quality control and original discrimination of Curcumae longae rhizome: Analysis of essential oils" JSS, 2014; 37(4):404-411. https://doi.org/10.1002/jssc.201301102

14. Braga ME, Leal, PF; Carvalho, JE, Meireles, MA. "Comparison of yield, composition, and antioxidant activity of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extracts obtained using various techniques". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2003; 51(22):6604-6611. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0345550

15. Ginger. Seattle, Washington; Medically reviewed by Drugs.com; 2023. Available at: https://www.drugs.com/npp/ginger.html . Accessed 20 December 2020