Enrichment of anti‐ulcer activity of monoammonium glycerrhizin and Aloe vera gel powder through a novel drug delivery system

Abstract

Usual treatment for Helicobacter pyloriâ€induced peptic ulcer includes a 14â€day “triple therapy†of two antibiotics and a
proton pump inhibitor. However, the current therapy has sideâ€effects like stomach upset, nonâ€compliance, incomplete absorption of drug and antibiotic resistance. To overcome these limitations, there is a need to suggest an alternative therapy. The best possible alternative is to deliver herbal constituents. The purpose of the present study was to optimize the efficacy of herbal constituents by applying the concept of a novel drug delivery system.The present investigation is designed to deliver and retain two herbal constituents in the stomach for better action against gastric ulcers. The objective was to develop a bilayer floating tablet of monoammonium glycerrhizin and Aloe vera gel powder through rational combination of excipients to give the lowest possible lag time with maximum drug release in 7 h. Formulation OF2 containing hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose E5, crospovidone and effervescent agents in the ratio 1:2 gave 98% drug release with desired floating properties. Pharmacodynamic studies in rats showed that the combination of monoammonium glycerrhizin and Aloe vera gave 99% ulcer inhibition in comparison with 51% ulcer inhibition in the group administered with monoammonium glycerrhizin alone. Xâ€ray studies in rabbits proved the gastroretention of the tablet for more than 6 h. This suggests relevance of NDDS in delivery of herbal constituents in the treatment of gastric ulcer.

Key words: Aloe vera, floating tablet, gastric ulcer, monoammonium glycerrhizin, pharmacodynamic studies