FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF AN ANTHELMINTIC SUSPENSION USING AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA FRUIT PULP

Elakkiyamani G.*, Dinesh B., Indhuja A., Jeyapandi K., Jothiyo Franklin K. F.

The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate an anthelmintic suspension using the aqueous extract of Terminalia catappa fruit pulp. The fruit pulp was extracted by the maceration technique using distilled water for 72 hours. Three suspension formulations, namely F1, F2 and F3, containing 4%, 8% and 12% w/v of the extract, respectively, were prepared using carboxymethyl cellulose as a suspending agent, Tween 80 as a wetting agent, sucrose as a sweetening agent, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate as preservatives, citric acid as a pH-adjusting agent, and orange oil and amaranth as flavouring and colouring agents, respectively. The prepared formulations were evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH, viscosity, sedimentation volume, drug content, particle size, redispersibility, antimicrobial activity, stability and in-vitro anthelmintic activity. All three formulations exhibited a pink colour, sweet taste and liquid appearance. The pH values of F1, F2 and F3 were 4.27, 4.25 and 4.59, respectively, while their viscosity values were 1.069, 1.072 and 1.077 cP, respectively. The sedimentation volume increased with increasing extract concentration, with F3 showing the highest sediment volume of 0.9 mL. The drug content was found to be 14.27%, 24.71% and 33.61% for F1, F2 and F3, respectively. Among the formulations, F2 required the fewest inversions (6) for complete redispersion. The in-vitro anthelmintic activity was evaluated using adult Pheretima posthuma earthworms, with albendazole as the standard drug. All three formulations exhibited measurable paralysis and death responses. At a test volume of 2 mL, F1, F2 and F3 showed cumulative response times of 3.28, 2.98 and 2.82 minutes, respectively, compared with 3.50 minutes for the albendazole standard. F3 exhibited the shortest cumulative response time among the tested formulations, indicating the highest in-vitro anthelmintic activity under the experimental conditions. The study demonstrated the successful formulation of an oral suspension containing aqueous Terminalia catappa fruit pulp extract. Among the three formulations, F3 (12% w/v) exhibited the most pronounced in-vitro anthelmintic response. Further investigations are required to establish its safety, efficacy and suitability for therapeutic use.