The formulation, manufacture and evaluation of capsules containing freeze-dried aqueous extracts of Leonotis Leonorus or Mentha Longifolia

Abstract

Leonotis leonorus and Mentha longifolia are two herbs commonly used in South Africa, mostly in oral liquid dosage forms. Several disadvantages are associated with these traditional dosage forms which can perhaps be remedied by using an appropriate oral solid dosage form, provided the actual plant material in the latter still resemble, as closely as possible, the traditionally used material and provide products of suitable pharmaceutical quality. The objectives of this study were to prepare and evaluate the pharmaceutical suitability of the freeze-dried aqueous extracts of Leonotis Leonorus and Mentha Longifolia as plant raw material for the capsule dosage of these two therapies and to formulate and manufacture capsules of Leonotis Leonorus and Mentha Longifolia aqueous extract that would contain amounts of the plant materials equivalent to that found in their traditional liquid dosage forms, and have immediate release characteristics and suitability stability.