Formulation development and stability studies of polyherbal anti-asthmatic lozenges

The current study aimed at formulation and evaluation of polyherbal anti-asthmatic lozenges. In this work, extracts from Piper longum fruits, Solanum xanthocarpum herb, and Sarcostemma brevistigma stems were used to make anti-asthmatic herbal tablet lozenges. They were prepared using the compression process, with sucrose serving as the primary sweetener and filler, and sucrose syrup acting as a binder. Bitter taste of all botanical extracts is masked by inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin. The granules were evaluated in terms of their angle of repose, Carr’s index and Hausner’s ratio while tablet lozenges for hardness, friability, disintegration time, weight variation, physical stability, total alkaloid and total phenolic content. A validated HPTLC method is used to quantify the piperine in the formulation. The mobile phase is toluene: ethylacetate: diethylamine (5: 4: 1, v/v/v), while the stationary phase is silica gel F₂₅₄. The granules were compressible and had good flow characteristics. The elliptical-shaped, 750 mg tablet lozenges had a light yellowish brown colour and an aromatic odour. Per lozenge, the total alkaloid and total phenolic content were determined to be 0.2576 and 0.5849% w/w, respectively. The estimated amount of piperine in the formulation was 0.012 ± 0.006% w/w. The total alkaloid and total phenolic content after short term stability was found to be 1.916 mg/lozenges and 4.342 mg/lozenges respectively whereas, after long term stability studies, 1.903 mg/lozenges and 4.325 mg/lozenges respectively. According to the findings, the prepared formulation may be utilized as an alternate medication for respiratory conditions.