Evaluation of Aloe weloensis (Aloeacea) Mucilages as a Pharmaceutical Suspending Agent

Natural polymers, specifically mucilages, have been used as a suspending agent for a long period of time. Natural excipients can serve as an alternative to synthetic products since they are less expensive, less toxic, and devoid of environmental pollution. There are many species of Aloe found in Ethiopia which can be used as a source of mucilage. In this study, mucilage from Aloe weloensis, which is found in Wollo floristic region, was extracted and tested as a suspending agent at different suspending agent concentrations and compared with standard suspending agents (acacia and sodium carboxy methylcellulose (NaCMC)) by formulating zinc oxide suspension. The mucilage obtained from Aloe weloensis leaves has shown comparable suspending agent ability with acacia. The rate of sedimentation and viscosity was higher at 1% and 4% mucilage concentrations than acacia though the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). The suspension was slightly basic and easily dispersible than NaCMC. Suspensions formulated from NaCMC were superior in terms of viscosity and sedimentation volume which was significantly different (p < 0.05) accompanied by lower flow rates than suspensions formulated from acacia and Aloe weloensis mucilages. The results suggested that Aloe weloensis mucilage could be used as an alternative suspending agent.