Stable formulation of Senna extract

Abstract: A stable formulation of Sennosides with increased shelf-life and good solubility is described.

Description: Vegetables extracts based on compounds with phenolic or polyphenolic functional groups like Sennosides are not stable in aqueous solutions in the presence of oxygen. The polymers, which are formed, cause turbidities and precipitations. This results in a loss of pharmaceutical active principle. In order to avoid these chemical instability some pharmaceutical companies have been put on the market pharmaceutical products containing Sennosides as active substance in the solid form [Example: Pursennid (sugar coated tablets) from Sandoz or Agiolax (granulate) from Madaus (in Germany)] or in semisolid form [Example: Tamarine (jam) from Seronol. In the semisolid form (jam) the Sennosides are present in acid form and not as calcium-salts. In the acid form Sennosides are not soluble in water and therefore protected from degradation process. The degradation process of Sennosides in aqueous solution is slow and time-progressive; it increases with the increase of storage temperature. The degradation route of Sennosides involves a preliminary breakage of glucosidic bonds and soon after oxidation and polymerisation of dianthrones or anthrones derivatives resulting from hydrolysis. On the basis of pharmacological research on senna extract it has been confirmed that the specific influence on colon motility (laxative effect) of Sennosides must be ascribed to the anthrones or dianthrones and not to their degradation products (oxidized or polymerised products). It has only to be expected a reduction of pharmacological activity when the degradation process increases. The main disadvantage of the formulation ready to use (actually on the market) is the poor stability and therefore the short shelf-life period (18 months). Stability data of the marketed solution (old form) The stability data of a representative batch of X-Prep is reported in Table 1. (Lot 220) The invention has the task to provide a stable formulation of Sennosides with extended shelf life and better content of active principle. Furthermore, it should have a good taste and should be easy to use. Lot 220 Time Controls O 6 months 12 months 18 months 24 months Characters Brown syrup, sweet taste, chocolate smell unmodified unmodified unmodified unmodified pH 5,28 5,14 5,16 4,93 4,84 Sennosides (Th.: 2 mg/ml) 2,149 mg/ml (107,45%) 1,922 mg/ml (96,10%) 1,858 mg/ml (92,90%) 1,826 mg/ml (91,30%) 1,773 mg/ml (88,65%) Stability data on new formulation The stability data of the now available on X - Prep new formulation are detailed in Table 2. From data obtained in stability studies we may point out that the active principle (Sennosides) in the granulate are stable for at least 3 years. This is significantly more than the stability of the forms according to the state of the art. A satisfactory stability of Sennosides in the extemporary prepared solution for at least 3 months (suggested shelf-life period) have been found at room temperature (II climatic zone) storage conditions and for at least 6 months for solution stored in refrigerator. The climatic zones are defined according to "Pharmazeutische Technologie", Ed. Sucker, Fuchs, Speiser, Thieme, 1991, page 704. In this shelf-life of extemporary prepared solution we can propose a narrower variation of content of active substance: ± 5% instead of ± 10% (actual range, for 18 months storage, of ready-to-use X-Prep syrup). Experimental data on the speed of solution for new formulation The first step examined in our galenical trials for extemporary solution realisation was the solution speed of the powder containing Sennosides into the solution with excipients. In preliminary galenical trials we decided to replace the raw material Senna dried extract with 5% of Sennosides with a raw material with higher content of Sennosides (Senna extract with 45% of Sennosides supplied by INDENA S.p.A.) for the following reasons. 1) the quantity to be emploied of raw material is too high (technical problem for vessel size), 2) shaking time: > 5' with vigorous shaking and with residual lumps (incomplete solution). Use of Senna extract (45 % of Sennosides) and excipients solution with 66% of sucrose Results: a) shaking time too long: 3'-5' with vigorous shaking b) incomplete solution of the powder with small lumps fomation c) after some storage period (6 months/1 year) because of the hygroscopicity, the powder appeard a little sticky and some difficulties had been found for powder falling from vessel into solution (after the break of the bottom of vessel). This means that the initial dryness of the powder does not solve the problem. It has been found, that a stable, free-flowing and ready soluble granulate of senna glycosides may be obtained by increasing the sucrose content up to the ratio of 1 : 2 (weight ratio) with respect to dried senna extract. Use of Senna granulate (1:2) with sucrose and excipients solution with 66% of sucrose Results: a) shaking time for complete solution: 1'-2' with vigorous shaking b) solution of the powder after shaking: almost complete c) flowability of granulate: practically unmodified after storage period of 3 years Further it has been found, that the reduction of shaking time can be achieved by reducing the sucrose content in the excipient solution to 40 % (weight %) of sucrose. Use of Senna granulate (1:2) with sucrose and excipients solution with 40% of sucrose Results: a) shaking time for granulate solution: < 1' with moderate shaking b) solution of the powder (granulate) after shaking: complete c) flowability of granulate: practically unmodified after storage period of 3 years These data show clearly, that the problem of reducing the content of active principle, increased stability and increased shelf-life, easy and complete solubility can be achieved by the formulation, a granulate, containing a dried senna extract with sucrose and an excipient solution with sucrose , characterized in that said solution contains 30 to 66 weight % sucrose in water. This enables to place the granulate in a chambered stopper, according to the DE-Patent 22 40 030 or DE 23 63 054. Example 1 X-Prep® New Formulation for Extemporary solution A) Granulate 1 g contains Senna extract concentrate g 0,334 (equivalent to Sennosides A + B) (g 0,15) Sucrose g 0,666 g 1,000 B) Excipients Solution 100 ml of excipients solution contain Sucrose g 40 Ethyl alcohol ml 7,36 Chocolate flavour V 8127 ml 0,375 Cocoa flavour 59297 A ml 0,0025 Propyl Paraben g 0,02 Methyl Paraben g 0,2 Purified water q.s. ad ml 100 The presentation form consists of: Plastic vessel with g 1,0 of granulate Glass ambered bottle containing ml 75,0 of excipients solution. Primary package: breaker assembled with plastic vessel set in to the mouth of the bottle; closure with plastic, child-proof, screw cap.

Claims: A granulate, containing one part of weight of Senna extract concentrate and, for each part by weight of Senna extract concentrate, 1 to 3 parts of weight of sucrose. A package, containing a chambered stopper with a granulate according to claim 1 and a bottle with a liquid. A package according to claim 2, characterized in that the liquid is a solution of 30 to 66 weight % sucrose in water. Medicament, containing a package according to claim 2 or 3. Use of a granulate according to claim 1 for the manufacture of a medicament. The use of a granulate, containing one part of weight of Senna extract concentrate and, for each part by weight of Senna extract concentrate, 1 to 3 parts of weight of sucrose, and of a solution of 30 to 66 weight % sucrose in water for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease. A combination comprising (a) a granulate, containing one part of weight of Senna extract concentrate and, for each part by weight of Senna extract concentrate, 1 to 3 parts of weight of sucrose and (b) a solution of 30 to 66 weight % sucrose in water. Chambered stopper, comprising a plastic vessel, a granulate, containing one part of weight of Senna extract concentrate and, for each part by weight of Senna extract concentrate, 1 to 3 parts of weight of sucrose, and a breaker for breaking the vessel.

Inventors: DE MARIA LUIGI DR, LASCIARREA CLAUDIO DR, MICHELI PIETRO DR, SCHMERSAHL HEIN-UWE DR, DE MARIA, LUIGI, DR., LASCIARREA, CLAUDIO, DR., MICHELI, PIETRO, DR., SCHMERSAHL, HEIN-UWE, DR.
Applicants: ASTA MEDICA AG, ASTA MEDICA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A61K35
IPC codes: B65D51, A61K47, A61K9, A61K31, A61K36, B65D81