1* Research Officer(S) – Sci – II, HoD – Pharmacy Department, Siddha Central Research Institute (SCRI), Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), Ministry of Ayush (Govt. of India), Arumbakkam, Chennai, Tamilnadu-600106, India. Email: shreemd@gmail.com / ms.shreedevi@gov.in (Corresponding Author)
2 Siddha Regional Research Institute (SRRI), Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), Ministry of Ayush (Govt. of India), Puducherry, India
Background:
Traditional Siddha herbal formulations are widely used for gastrointestinal disturbances, yet conventional syrup dosage forms may limit patient compliance, particularly among children experiencing emesis and patients undergoing chemotherapy who frequently present with nausea, vomiting, and swallowing difficulties. Madhulai Manapagu, a Punica granatum L.–based formulation, offers therapeutic potential but requires modernization into patient-centric delivery systems.
Purpose:
To develop and optimize an orally disintegrating film (ODF) incorporating Madhulai Manapagu and evaluate its physicochemical, analytical, and morphological characteristics as a translational phytopharmaceutical dosage form.
Methods:
Lyophilized Madhulai Manapagu was incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol–based films using a solvent casting technique. A statistical experimental design was employed to optimize formulation variables. Films were evaluated for thickness, weight variation, disintegration time, in-vitro dissolution, surface morphology, and phytochemical integrity using UV spectroscopy. Analytical validation of phytoconstituent integrity was supported by λmax determination at 216 nm, HPTLC fingerprint profiling across multiple wavelengths, and FTIR spectral comparison confirming physicochemical compatibility within the polymeric matrix.
Results:
Optimized films exhibited rapid disintegration (~40 s), uniform drug distribution, acceptable mechanical properties, and efficient release behavior. Analytical studies confirmed preservation of phenolic and flavonoid constituents without significant interactions between formulation components.
Conclusion:
The developed orally disintegrating films provide a patient-friendly phytopharmaceutical platform with potential relevance for pediatric emesis management and supportive care during chemotherapy. These findings support the modernization of Siddha formulations through advanced drug-delivery technologies, while future clinical investigations are required to establish therapeutic outcomes.
Keywords: Punica granatum; Madhulai Manapagu; orally disintegrating films; pediatric emesis; chemotherapy supportive care; herbal drug delivery
How to cite this article: Devi MS, Sathiyarajeswaran P. Orally Disintegrating Films of Madhulai Manapagu (Punica granatum L.) for Paediatric Emesis and Oncology-Supportive Care: Development, Optimization and Phytopharmaceutical Evaluation. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(5): 310-322. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.5.33
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None