Formulation of an Extended-Release Oral Suspension Based on the Essential Oil of Borago Officinalis

This study contributes to the formulation of an extended-release oral suspension based on the essential oil of Borago officinalis. Borage essential oil was obtained through hydrodistillation with a yield of 1.8%. Antioxidant activity confirmed the remarkable antioxidant effect of our essential oil. Antimicrobial activity demonstrated the effectiveness of the essential oil against the studied microorganisms. The chosen matrix for the development of essential oil suspensions involves two polysaccharides, sodium alginate, and chitosan. The mechanism adapted to highlight the extended release of the active ingredient (essential oil) is in situ gelation. This mechanism was achieved by solubilizing chitosan in the acidic environment of the stomach, leading to the formation of alginate gel after its polyelectrolyte complexation by cations. This indicates the feasibility of achieving extended release (time > six hours) for most formulations.