Malaysian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 11, No. 2, 41–47 (2013) © Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, 2013 PREFORMULATION STUDY ON THE GUM OF MORINGA OLEIFERA DIBYA SUNDAR PANDA 1* AND SHAKEEL AHMED ANSARI 2 1 Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah-21418, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2 Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah-21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Preformulation study on the gum of Moringa oleifera was carried out. Various parameters like colour, odour, taste, pH and physical characteristics such as density, angle of repose, hygroscopicity, swelling index, loss on drying, total ash, insoluble matter and solubility were determined using the standard pharmacopoeial procedure. The gum was found to be hygroscopic and organoleptically acceptable. The pH was found to be 5.77 which is ideal for topical use. The gum solution exhibits non Newtonian, pseudoplastic rheological behaviour. It was found to be stable to heat, humidity, light and compatible with verapamil and propranolol hydrochloride. The gum has the potential to be used in different pharmaceutical formulations and food preparations. Keywords: Preformulation, Moringa oleifera, Rheology, pH, Solubility INTRODUCTION Preformulation study is necessary to formulate dosage forms. This implies that some of the physical chemistry has to be known and this requires determination of physicochemical properties. The approach was so logical, that it became part of official requirements of pharmacopoeias (Wells 2002). The goals of preformulation study (Wells 2002; Niebergall 1985) are to establish physicochemical parameters, compatibility with drugs and safety. Moringa oleifera is a small genus of quick growing tree distributed in India. The stem of the tree exudes a gum which is initially white in colour but changes to reddish brown or brownish black on exposure to sunlight. It is sparingly soluble in water but swells in contact with water giving a highly viscous solution. It is a polyuronide consisting of arabinose, galactose and glucoronic acid in the proportion of 10:7:2; rhamnose is present in traces (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research 1998). There are reports about the application of M. oleifera gum as gelling agent (Panda et al. 2006), suspending agent (Panda et al. 2007), film former (Panda et al. 2008a), binder and release retardant in tablet (Panda et al. 2008b). The gum has got a high lethal dose (LD50) in mice indicating its safety. Considering these utilities the preformulation study was undertaken (Panda et al. 2007). * Corresponding author: Dibya Sundar Panda, email: dibyapanda@rediffmail.com