Rogie Royce Carandang, Kristal Cielo Buemio, Adelaine Lopez
Objective: Gliricidia sepium, locally known as kakawati is recognized for its wound healing property. The study aimed to determine the wound healing action of a safe, stable, low cost formulation from the lyophilized sap of G sepium. Methods: The organoleptic, physical, and chemical properties were determined. Short term stability testing, as well as compatibility study with common excipients was performed. Wound healing property was determined by three methods: (1) measurement of the rate of wound contraction, (2) tensile strength of the healed tissue using a tensiometer and (3) histological examination of collagen deposition. The 7.5% gel formulation was also tested for its efficacy with wound healing-impaired rats.
Results: The pilot-scale manufacture of a gel-based formulation using water extract of G sepium was feasible. The extract was compatible with glycerin, sodium CMC, sodium
benzoate and sodium citrate. Stability testing with common excipients showed that the gel formulation was stable at a temperature of 30ºC. It was stable at pH values of 5 to10 and in natural and artificial light. The formulated product is a green gel of moderate consistency possessing a natural fragrance with faint fetid odor. The gel formulation was found to be effective at 7.5% concentration as a wound healing agent.
Conclusion: The gel formulation has been proven to have wound healing properties and was found to be safe, effective, stable and low cost.
