Use of Aloe vera and Aloe marlothii materials as excipients in beads produced by extrusion–spheronization

Abstract

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is the most commonly used excipient in the manufacture of spherical particles or beads by extrusion spheronisation. However, the use of MCC in beads has its limitations such as prolonged release of drugs due to lack of disintegration. The aim of this study was to determine if Aloe vera and Aloe marlothii leaf materials can be used as excipients in the production of beads prepared by extrusion spheronisation. A 2³ full factorial design was employed for optimisation and to explore the effects of the concentration of MCC, polyvinylpyrrolidone and aloe materials on the sphericity and release rate of ketoprofen. Scanning electron microscopy revealed more porous beads when aloe materials were included in the bead formulations compared to the formulation with MMC alone. The bead formulations containing aloe materials exhibited faster drug release compared to that of the formulation containing MCC alone. Dissolution data of the optimised formulations were analysed in terms of mean dissolution time (MDT) as well as fit factors (f₁ and f₂). The optimised bead formulations had dissolution profiles comparable to that of the formulation containing MCC alone at pH 1.2 and 4.5 (f₂ values > 70), but less comparable to the reference at pH 6.8 (50 < f₂< 65) due to faster drug release. Aloe vera and Aloe marlothii leaf materials can be used successfully together with MCC in the production of beads by extrusion spheronisation.