Extraction and characterization of Hybiscus Rosa-Sinensis leaves mucilage for Pharmaceutical applications

A B S T R A C T The present research was related to a process of production of crude, pharmaceutically useful dry water soluble mucilage/polysaccharide from leaves of hybiscus rosa-sinensis. Extraction of water soluble mucilage/polysaccharide from leaves was performed using water, phosphate buffer solutions of pH 4.0, pH6.8 and pH 9.2 as solvents for better yield. Physicochemical characterizations and other studies such as viscosity and effect of temperature on viscosity, pH, swelling in different physiological pH conditions were discussed. The dry water soluble mucilage/polysaccharide was then used as suspending agent and solubility enhancing agent to improve the bioavailability of some model drugs which are poorly soluble in water. Highest percent yield of the dry water soluble mucilage/polysaccharide was obtained in distilled/demineralized water (14.7%) and phosphate buffer pH 9.2 (16.4%). Powder characterization study (26.32°, 0.54 g/mL, 0.73 g/mL, 22.62%, and 1.08 of angle of repose, lose bulk density, tapped bulk density, carr's index and hausner's ratio respectively) ensured the mucilage/polysaccharide suitable for Tablet formulation and higher viscosity and swelling index at distilled/demineralized water and phosphate buffer pH 7.4 respectively ensures the suitability for suspension formulation (1.0% solution gave 356cps). Hence, the extracted dry water soluble mucilage/polysaccharide from leaves of hybiscus rosa-sinensis would be useful for pharmaceutical applications with economic, toxic less and biocompatible.