Original Article Development and evaluation of liquid oral phytoformulation of Phyllanthus amarus John A. Avbunudiogba a, *, Christian A. Alalor a , Philip F. Builders b , Success Odozie a a Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria b Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria article info Article history: Received 21 May 2013 Accepted 8 August 2013 Available online 27 September 2013 Keywords: Phyllanthus amarus Antitussive property Aqueous extract Herbal syrup Phytochemical properties abstract Background: The leaves of Phyllanthus amarus (family: Euphorbiaceae) is reported to have good medicinal values such as antitussive properties. However the extract of the plant is very bitter, this constitutes a challenge in formulating an acceptable oral liquid dosage form. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a pleasant tasting liquid preparation of the extract by a taste masking technique as well as evaluate some physicochemical properties of the formulation that relate to its stability. Methods: Six formulations (AeF) of the extract were prepared. To obtain the most stable and acceptable taste of the herbal syrup the physicochemical properties such as: colour, taste, pH, specific gravity, as well as its antioxidant activity were evaluated. Results and discussion: Formulation C which contains ethanol, citric acid, glycerin and syrup BP as the taste masking agents was adjudged to have the most acceptable taste and sta- bility. Generally formulations C showed a pH of 6.61  0.02 and 6.62  0.04, specific gravity of 1.24  0.02 g/ml and 1.28  0.01 g/ml immediately after formulation and after storage for 10 weeks respectively. Conclusion: Formulating P. amarus extract with ethanol, citric acid, glycerin and syrup BP produced palatable and stable herbal syrup. Copyright ª 2013, JPR Solutions; Published by Reed Elsevier India Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction In most rural communities of many developing countries, orthodox medicine are either not available or are expensive. Approximate, 60e80% of the population of such countries still relies either partly or completely on traditional medicine as remedies for the treatment of common illness such as malaria typhoid, cold, cough and catarrh. 1 According to World Health Organization (WHO), medicinal plants are the best source to obtain the various drugs needed to combat various diseases and it advocates the need for countries to venture into the different aspects of traditional medicine. 2 Medicinal plants * Corresponding author. Tel.: þ234 8033633331, þ234 7088592197 (mobile) E-mail address: avbunudiogba@yahoo.com (J.A. Avbunudiogba). Available online at www.sciencedirect.com journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jopr journal of pharmacy research 6 (2013) 908 e912 0974-6943/$ e see front matter Copyright ª 2013, JPR Solutions; Published by Reed Elsevier India Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jopr.2013.08.029