Characterization of Boswellia rivae Engl Resin as a Potential Use for Pharmaceutical Excipient.

Pharmaceutical excipients derived from natural sources like resins are nowadays meritoriously used in the formulation of drugs. Resins of natural origin have many advantages over chemically synthesized substances; they are safer, nontoxic, less expensive, biodegradable, and widely available. To our knowledge, resins from plants have been not sufficiently explored for application in pharmaceutical formulations. Thus, in the present study, a resin isolated from Boswellia rivae Engl was characterized for its potential use as a pharmaceutical excipient. Method. The resin was extracted from the oleo gum resin of Boswellia rivae Engl, which involved the removal of volatile oils, gum, and Boswellic acid contents. The dried resin powder was then characterized for its micromeritic properties, heavy metal contents, moisture content, moisture absorption power, pH, solubility, swelling property, and acute toxicity profile. Moreover, the crystal nature and the chemical functionality of the resin were evaluated by using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, respectively. Results. The yield of the neutral resin was 13.17%, and the powder was pale yellow and had irregular surfaces. The resin was freely soluble in organic solvents but almost insoluble in water. The moisture content of the dried extract was 2.5% while its moisture absorption capacity was 2.5%, 4%, and 5.47% at 40%, 60%, and 75% RH, respectively. Besides, the maximum swelling capacities of the resin observed were 40%, 37%, and 30% at 350C, 300C, and 250C, respectively. The bulk powder exhibited a 1.21 Hausner ratio, 36.497 angles of repose, and 17.03% Carr's index, indicating the fair flowability of the powder. Heavy metals such as zinc, chromium, and cobalt were detected at a low level while elements like copper, manganese, lead, and cadmium were absent. The X-ray diffraction study revealed that the crystallinity index of the powder was 42.7% with a crystal size of 994.5A. The Boswellia resin could be safe in mice up to 3 g/kg of their body weight. In conclusion, the physicochemical properties of the resin powder investigated reveal its potential application as pharmaceutical additives in the formulation of modified release solid dosages forms like tablets and microcapsules.

Pattern of acute poisoning in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, South West Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Poisoning is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. People can be exposed to poisons either intentionally or accidentally. Designing appropriate treatment or prevention approaches depends on understanding of the nature and pattern of poisoning in a specific place. Information on the patterns of acute poisoning in Ethiopian hospitals is limited. This study was, therefore, conducted to evaluate the patterns of acute poisoning in Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH), South West Ethiopia. METHODS: A record based retrospective analysis of acute poisoning cases presented to JUSH from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013 was conducted. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. RESULTS: Of the 103 patients, 49 (47.6%) were male and 54 (52.4%) were female. The highest prevalence of poisoning was observed in persons aged 12-20 years (70, 67.96%). Majority of the cases were intentional poisoning (52, 50.5%), and 28 (27.2%) of the cases were accidental. The common causes of poisoning were house hold cleansing agents (43, 41.7%), organophosphates (28, 27.2%) and drugs (13, 12.6%). Diarrhea and vomiting (49.5%), altered consciousness (16.5%) and epigastric pain (13.6%) were the common presenting symptoms. CONCLUSION: Majority of the victims of the acute poisoning in this study were aged 12-20 years. The most common mode of poisoning was intentional poisoning resulting from temporary quarrel. The common poisons used by the victims were found to be household cleansing agents.

In Vivo Analgesic and Antipyretic Activities of N-Butanol and Water Fractions of Ocimum Suave Aqueous Leaves Extract in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Ocimum suave willd is one of the plants traditionally used for the treatment of inflammation and related disorders in different parts of Ethiopia. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the analgesic and antipyretic activities of the solvent fractions (n-butanol and water) of O. suave aqueous leaves extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acetic acid writhing and tail flick tests were used to evaluate the analgesic activity, and yeast-induced fever in mice was used to evaluate the antipyretic activity of the solvent fractions. RESULTS: Both solvent fractions exhibited inhibitory effect against acetic acid induced writhing at all tested dose levels in a dose dependent manner. The water fraction inhibited writhing by 47.69% at a dose of 200 mg/kg which was comparable to that by ASA, the standard drug. In the tail flick test, 200 mg/kg dose of both solvent fractions showed significant activity (P<0.05) after 0.5h, 1h and 3hrs of their administration. Both n- butanol and water fractions produced significant reduction in yeast induced fever at all doses employed. CONCLUSION: From these findings, it can be concluded that the n-butanol and water fractions of O. suave aqueous leaves extract have potential analgesic and antipyretic activity in mice.