Abstract:
One of the advanced research areas of herbals includes use of advanced formulation techniques for delivering herbal actives. Various herbal drugs become less utilized due to their poor absorption and poor bioavailability after oral administration. The problem can be resolved by opting a suitable delivery system which can enhance the rate and extent of drug solubilising into aqueous body fluids as well as its ability to go through lipophilic biomemebranes. Here we have formulated calcium alginate beads loaded with petroleum ether extract of Murraya koenigii by using Orifice Gelation Technique for improving their therapeutic indices and their efficacy. A series of batches was prepared to optimize the polymer: drug ratio and the beads were evaluated for physical characteristics like percentage yield, entrapment efficiency, moisture content, micromeretic properties, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling ratio, compatibility studies, X-Ray Diffraction (X-RD) and in vitro drug release studies. The beads showed the mean particle size of 994-1290μm. SEM studies revealed that the beads were spherical with nearly smooth surface. FT-IR studies revealed that there was no polymer drug interaction. Application of in vitro drug release data to various kinetic equations indicated first order release.

Keywords: Murraya Koenigii, Calcium Alginate Beads, Orifice Gelatin Technique, In Vitro Drug Release.