(PART 6) MALUNGGAY/ SODIUM

Capsule

- Solid dosage forms in which the drug substance is enclosed within a hard or soft soluble container or shell, usually made of gelatin or other suitable materials.
- They are designed to be swallowed whole and dissolve in the gastrointestinal tract, releasing the drug for absorption.

- Mask unpleasant tastes and odors of drugs.
- Offer flexibility in drug formulation (powders, granules, pellets, liquids, or semi-solids can be filled inside).
- Improve patient compliance due to ease of swallowing and aesthetic appeal.
- Provide accurate dosing with minimal excipients.
- Allow modified-release formulations by altering capsule design or coating

Advantages of Capsules

Hard Gelatin
Soft Gelatin 
Vegetarian 

Types of Capsules

Hard Gelatin Capsules

Types of Capsules
- Two piece shell (cap & body)
- Powder, granules, pellets
Example: Antibiotics, Malunggay Powder

Soft Gelatin Capsules

Types of Capsules
- One piece shell, sealed
- Oils, liquids, semi-solids
Example: Vitamin E, Fish Oil

Vegetarian Capsules (HPMC)

Types of Capsules
- Made from HPMC, not gelatin 
- Suitable for vegetarians/ vegans 
Example: Herbal Supplements 

Bovine (Cow)
Porcine (Pigs)
Marine (Fish, Aquatic Animals)

Source of Capsules

Bovine (Cows)

Source of Capsules
- Skin, hides, bones
- Most common source; produces strong gel strength; widely used in pharmaceuticals and food.

Porcine (Pigs)

Source of Capsules
- Skin
- Cost-effective; excellent gel strength and flexibility; widely used in capsule shells and confectionery.

Marine (Fish, Aquatic Animals)

Source of Capsules
- Skin, scales
- Alternative for people avoiding pork/beef (religious, cultural, dietary reasons); lower gel strength; increasingly used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

- Animal Byproducts (Skin, Bones)
- Cleaning and Preparation
- Hydrolysis (Acid or Alkali Treatment)
- Extraction of Collagen
- Purification and Filtration
- Sterilization and Drying
- Gelatin (Powder, Flakes, Sheets)

Process of Capsules Production 

Gelatin Capsules

- Derived from animal collagen (bovine, porcine, fish sources)
- Not suitable for vegetarians, vegans, or certain religious groups
- Higher (13–16%), sensitive to humidity
- Dissolves quickly in stomach fluids; can be affected by cross-linking
- Shorter due to moisture sensitivity
- Generally cheaper
- Pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, vitamins, supplements

HPMC (Vegetarian) Capsules

- Derived from plant cellulose (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose)
- Suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and people with dietary/religious restrictions
- Lower (3–8%), more stable in humid environments
- Consistent dissolution, less prone to crosslinking
- Longer, more stable over time
- More expensive
- Herbal products, probiotics, nutraceuticals targeting health-conscious consumers

Tixosil/Magnesium Stearate
Malunggay Powder

Ingredients for Malunggay Capsules 

Tixosil /Magnesium Stearate

Ingredients for Malunggay Capsules 
- Is the trade name for a range of precipitated silicas produced by Solvay.
- It is synthesized chemically from sodium silicate and sulfuric acid, forming amorphous silica.
- Unlike Magnesium Stearate (fatty acid salt), this is an inorganic excipient.

Function in Capsules:
- Improves powder flow properties by reducing cohesion between particles.
- Prevents powders from clumping together, ensuring consistent capsule filling.
- Can carry and stabilize active ingredients, especially if the drug has an oily or hygroscopic nature.
- Helps control moisture content and improves the stability of herbal powders like malunggay. 

Malunggay Powder 

Ingredients for Malunggay Capsules 
- Derived from the dried leaves of Malunggay (Moringa oleifera), a plant widely cultivated in tropical regions including the Philippines.
- Leaves are washed ,shade-dried, and pulverized into fine powder to preserve nutrients.

Function in Capsules:
- Provides nutritional and therapeutic benefits as the main bioactive component of the capsule.
- Rich in vitamins (A, C, E, B-complex), minerals (calcium, potassium, iron), proteins, and antioxidants.
- Supports general wellness, lactation in mothers, and serves as a herbal nutraceutical.

Sodium Ascorbate
Cornstarch
PVP/Lactose
Tixosil/Magnesium Stearate
Talc

Ingredients of Sodium Ascorbate Capsule

Sodium Ascorbate

Ingredients of Sodium Ascorbate Capsule
- Synthetic derivative of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid neutralized with sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate)
- Active ingredient – provides Vitamin C in a buffered, non-acidic form for antioxidant and immune support.

Cornstarch

Ingredients of Sodium Ascorbate Capsule
- Natural starch obtained from maize (corn)
- Filler/Diluent – adds bulk to the formulation and ensures uniformity of capsule content. Also acts as a disintegrant, helping capsule break down after ingestion

PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolid one) / Lactose

Ingredients of Sodium Ascorbate Capsule
- PVP: Synthetic polymer; Lactose: Milk sugar from cow’s milk
- Binder/Filler – PVP helps bind powder particles together; Lactose is a diluent and sweet-tasting filler, improving flow and content uniformity.

Tixosil / Magnesium Stearate

Ingredients of Sodium Ascorbate Capsule
- Tixosil: Precipitated silica (inorganic); Magnesium Stearate: Salt of stearic acid (from vegetable oils or animal fats)
- Glidant/Lubricant – improves powder flow (Tixosil), prevents sticking to machinery (Magnesium Stearate), ensures smooth capsule filling.

Talc

Ingredients of Sodium Ascorbate Capsule
- Naturally occurring hydrated magnesium silicate (mineral)
- Glidant/Anti-caking agent – prevents clumping of powders, improves flow, and helps capsule contents release uniformly

Choice of Capsule Shell
Drug Properties
Excipients Selection
Powder Flow & Compressibility
Uniformity of Content & Weight
Moisture Control
Stability & Compatibility
Bioavailability & Release Profile
Patient Factors

Important Considerations