Investigation of the Suspending Properties of Dicerocaryum Zanguebarium and Adansonia Digitata Mucilage as Structured Vehicles

The suspending properties of Dicerocaryum zanguebarium and Adansonia digitata gum were evaluated at concentrations of (2.5, 5.0 and7.5 %w/v) and (1.25 and 5.0 %w/v) in calamine lotion suspension respectively. The physicochemical properties of the gums evaluated were sedimentation volume (F), viscosity, flow rate and compared with those of the suspension that had no suspending agent as a negative control. At all concentrations formulated, Dicerocaryum zanguebarium gum had the strongest suspending ability relative to the Adansonia digitata in calamine lotion. The viscosity of the suspension formulations ranged from 7.18-26.4 centipoise, which was a function of the concentration and type of suspending agent as well as the duration of storage of the suspension. Sedimentation volume, ease of redispersion and the flow rate of the formulations were characteristic of the suspending agent used and were influenced by the concentration of the agent. The profiles of calamine lotion suspension formulations containing Dicerocaryum zanguebarium were better than those of Adansonia digitata irrespective of the concentration of the suspending agent. Dicerocaryum zanguebarium gum could be a potential suspending agent in formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions and help prevent caking in the formulation.