Standardization of the quality control parameters of the Tamarindus indica L. soft extract

摘要

Introduction: Tamarindus indica L or Tamarind as commonly known is a medicinal plant witha broad spectrum of application in medicine. Tamarind is the most useful plant for liver disorders treatment in Cuba and The Caribbean. People use it as decoction and have to take up to four liters a day of this preparation, because the use of alcohol in the Tamarind fluid extracts prevent its use in patient with lever desorders. Objective: the aim of this study was the preliminary establisment of quality control parameters of the Tamarindus indica L. soft extract as a novel alcohol-free active ingredient for solids pharmaceutical formulation. Methods: organoleptics properties, total solids, relative density, pH, and total ashes were stablished. The polyphenols content was evaluated as a chemical marker using Folin-Ciocalteau spectrophotometric method. The WHO methodology was followed for the establishment of limits for each one of the parameters. Results: the proposed limits were: total solids 63.55-69.22 %; relative density 1.311-1.441g/mL; pH 3.20-3.32; total ashes 1.00-1.21 %; polyphenols content 6.19-8.12 %, and flavonoids 0.35-1.27 %. Conclusion: the obtained data are a preliminary guide to implement the quality control procedure for further preparation of this novel natural extract, for its utilization as an active ingredient in pharmaceutical formulations.