Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF CHOCOLATES CONTAINING KALMEGH LEAF AND PAPAYA LEAF

M. Arularasan*, V. Kalvimoorthi, L. Gopi, M. Pharm., C. A. Shaik Fayaaz Ahamed,

Abstract

Chocolate is a versatile food with the potential to be used as a medium for drug delivery, offering an enjoyable and acceptable form of medication for pediatric patients. This study aimed to develop a palatable chocolate formulation containing kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) leaf powder and papaya (Carica papaya) leaf powder for the treatment of dengue. The formulation was designed to enhance the acceptability of the medication, increasing the likelihood of patient compliance. A chocolate base was created using cocoa powder, cocoa butter, icing sugar, and pharmaceutical-grade sugar. The therapeutic agents were incorporated into this base to create a medicated chocolate. The prepared product was then evaluated for key properties, including appearance, moisture content, drug content, and its in vitro performance. Results showed that the medicated chocolate met the required standards for pharmaceutical use, maintaining a desirable texture and taste, while also delivering the necessary active compounds. This formulation provides a novel approach for pediatric drug administration, potentially improving patient adherence to dengue treatment regimens. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of the product in vivo.

Keywords: Medicated Chocolate, Pediatrics, Chocolate formulation, Kalmegh, Papaya.