Estudio de la actividad antioxidante del extracto de las vainas de guarango (Caesalpinia spinosa) y desarrollo de una forma farmacéutica semisólida

Abstract

The main objective of this experimental-quantitative study was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the hydroalcoholic extract of Caesalpinia spinosa (guarango) pods, from which a semi-solid pharmaceutical form was developed. The plant material was collected, cleaned, dried, ground and sieved for physicochemical tests, following INEN 2392-2007 regulations. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins and terpenes. On the other hand, the organoleptic and physicochemical characteristics of the extract were evaluated, which presented the following data: humidity 10.60%, total ash 3.79%, and water-soluble ash 3.66%, ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid 1.20%. The hydroalcoholic preparation at 70% solvent gave a yield of 11.390% of the extract obtained. To evaluate the antioxidant activity, the DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl) assay was used, where the extract showed an IC50 of 19.134 μg/ml, compared to 21.908 μg/ml of ascorbic acid, indicating a higher antioxidant activity. Subsequently, a semi-solid preparation was formulated, which passed the quality control tests according to USP#28 for organoleptic and physicochemical tests, with values of pH 3.72%, refractive index 1.50%, and relative density 0.98%. Microbiological tests were also carried out according to NTE INEN 2867. In conclusion, both the hydroalcoholic extract and the semisolid formulation showed antioxidant activity due to the presence of secondary metabolites such as tannins, terpenes and saponins, exceeding the antioxidant capacity of ascorbic acid. Likewise, the semisolid formulation met the quality criteria for cutaneous use according to current regulations.