Standardization and Evaluation of Poly Herbal Powder Blend for Capsule Filling

Abstract

The present study evaluated the granule characteristics, capsule quality, and immunomodulatory activity of capsules containing dried ethanol extract of Curcuma mangga rhizomes formulated using different excipients. Granule evaluation showed that formulations containing CMDE-PVP possessed higher bulk density values (>0.5 g/ml), indicating denser particle characteristics compared to CMDE-CS formulations. The greater difference between bulk and tapped densities in CMDE-PVP formulations suggested higher inter-particle porosity and the presence of larger empty spaces between particles. Flow property analysis demonstrated excellent granule flowability, with flow times ranging from 1.05±0.05 to 1.60±0.08 seconds. The Hausner ratio values below 1.25 and Carr’s index values between 10.26±3.38 and 17.54±1.60 indicated good to excellent flow characteristics, while the angle of repose values below 30° confirmed satisfactory flow behavior. Among all formulations, F2 fulfilled the Indonesian Pharmacopoeia requirements for capsule weight uniformity and was therefore selected for in vivo immunomodulatory evaluation. The immunomodulatory activity was assessed in Wistar rats infected with Staphylococcus aureus. The selected formulation significantly increased paw edema volume, indicating stimulation of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response. Furthermore, the formulation enhanced IgG antibody production, confirming its immunostimulatory potential. The capsule administered at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight exhibited the highest enhancement of both DTH response and IgG production. These findings suggest that C. mangga capsule formulation possesses promising immunomodulatory activity and has potential for development as a herbal immunostimulant dosage form.

Keywords: Curcuma mangga; immunomodulatory activity; capsule formulation; delayed-type hypersensitivity; IgG production.