Development of suppositories based on aloe arborescens juice

Introduction. The aim of this work is to develop an effective herbal medicine based on Aloe arborescens juice (Aloe arborescens Mill.) with a high content of active substances. It allows to use this drug for patients suffering from hemorrhoids, as well as to develop methods for the standardization of this dosage form.

Material and methods. Homeopathic suppositories of Aloe DN (containing aloe, rhubarb and chamomile) are recommended by the state registry of medicines for the treatment of chronic constipation. This medicine having some drawbacks, we are the first to develop suppositories with aloe juice containing high level of active substances, in which selected hydrophilic base contributes to the rapid absorption of active substances.

Results and discussion. The advantages of the developed method for producing suppositories with Aloe arborescens juice are as follows: the content of active substances in one suppository on a hydrophilic base (gelatin-glycerol) determined by the UV spectrophotometry method is 2.6 mg, it ensures the optimal pharmacological effect; hydrophilic base, from which the active ingredients of Aloe arborescens juice (barbaloin) are easily absorbed, allows to recommend the use of this dosage form to people with hemorrhoids.

Conclusions. The dosage form of hydrophilic suppositories with Aloe arborescens juice provides a high release of the active substance from the base. This substance is easily absorbed into the rectum and exerts laxative effect. The proposed dosage form is of therapeutic benefit due to the higher concentration of active substances in Aloe arborescens juice (2.6 mg).