http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4 2026-04-05T18:12:25Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2998 Exploring Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. as a Source of Antimycobacterial Agents: Phytochemical and In- vitro Assessment ALFA, John Tuberculosis (TB) and related mycobacterial infections remain major global health concerns, necessitating the search for novel antimycobacterial agents. Aloe vera, a widely used medicinal plant, contains a variety of bioactive phytochemicals with potential therapeutic properties. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition and antimycobacterial activity of the ethanolic crude extract of Aloe vera against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, and Mycobacterium smegmatis. Ethanolic extract of Aloe vera leaves were prepared and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening. The antimycobacterial efficacy of the extracts was assessed using standard broth microdilution techniques to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) against the selected mycobacterial strains. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, and steroids. The extract exhibited antimycobacterial activity with MIC values of 1560 μg/mL (p<0.05) for M. bovis and M. smegmatis, and 6250 μg/mL for M. tuberculosis. MBC values were 3125 μg/mL (p<0.05) for M. bovis and M. smegmatis, and 12500 μg/mL for M. tuberculosis. The results support the traditional use of Aloe vera in treating infections and highlight the potential of its bioactive constituents as leads for future antitubercular drug development. Further studies involving compound isolation and mechanism-based assays are recommended. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2969 Non-thermal and thermal compatibility studies of binary blends of amlodipine and common spices; clove, ginger and turmeric ALFA, John A lot of people on anti-hypertensives including amlodipine often take their medications with their tea or beverages. Many are conscious of the health benefits of medicinal plants and prefer going with green or common spices like clove, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, garlic, etc. In spite of that, the compatibility or otherwise of consumption of these spices simultaneously with amlodipine is questionable. The aim of this study is to assess the solid-state compatibility of amlodipine with some selected spices: clove, ginger, turmeric using Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). FT-IR spectra show that the combination of amlodipine with the spices brought about some shifts in wavenumbers, reduction in intensity, broadening to varying degrees but no significant chemical interactions were detected. On the other hand, DSC analysis showed disappearance of amlodipine peak in the drug-spice combination with some changes in the temperature of different events. This suggests that the combination of amlodipine with the spices could compromise its thermal stability. It is therefore inferred that whereas many people enjoy taking their medications along with these beverages or spices, this combination proves to be unsuitable especially in the light of formulation as a combination product. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2968 Development of double-coated microparticles for improved oral insulin delivery in diabetes management ALFA, John Purpose: To formulate double-coated insulin-loaded polymer-based microparticles (MPs) for oral delivery of insulin. Methods: Different formulations of insulin-loaded MPs were prepared using polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) and chitosan as primary coat and Eudragit® RL 100 as secondary coating agents. Physicochemical characterization, in vitro drug release, toxicological, and in vivo studies in diabetic rats were performed, and the results of the orally administered MPs were compared with those of subcutaneously administered Humulin®. Results: The developed MPs showed good physicochemical characteristics. In vitro release studies showed that all batches of MPs exhibited sustained insulin release in 12 h with the highest insulin release achieved by MPs formulated using PEG 4000 as primary coating. In vivo, the orally administrated MPs containing 2 % chitosan achieved a reduction in blood glucose level from 100 mg/dL to 15.8 mg/dL after 10 h, compared to subcutaneously administered Humulin® which was 100 mg/dL to 20.60 mg/dL after 24 h. The MPs reduced blood urea (76.25 - 43.21 mg/dL) better than Humulin® (76.25 - 73.11 mg/dL), hence, may prevent development of insulin resistance and/or defective insulin release. Conclusion: The effects of these formulations on blood glucose were comparable to subcutaneously administered Humulin® in diabetic rats. However, there is need to optimize these polymer blends for improved effectiveness, as well as study the long-term stability of these formulations. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/2964 DEVELOPMENT OF GELATIN-SODIUM ALGINATE MICROPARTICLES FOR ORAL INSULIN DELIVERY ALFA, John Oral delivery of peptide drugs in the management of diabetes remained a major challenge among formulation scientists in the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, insulin-loaded microparticles for oral delivery were prepared with gelatin and sodium alginate and combined at different ratios using the double emulsion technique. The insulin-loaded microparticles (MPs) were evaluated for yield, and particle size, shape and thermal properties were determined. The in vitro release of insulin and blood glucose reduction after oral administration to diabetic rats were determined. The microparticles formed were spherical and pitted. The prepared insulin-loaded microparticles showed a lag phase before insulin release. The gelatin:sodium alginate (Na-Alg) ratio of 0:1 was the only formulation that released the most in vitro. The percentage blood glucose reduction for subcutaneously administered insulin was significantly greater than that for the formulation (p < 0.05). The reduction effect observed after orally administered insulin-loaded MPs in batch with Na-Alg-gelatin (1:1) was observed after 9 h. However, this effect was like the effect observed in subcutaneously insulin solution. There was gradual release with a sustain effect of lower blood glucose level for a period of 24 h. These results are indicative of its effectiveness as an alternative for the delivery of insulin. 2024-12-20T00:00:00Z