Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of binder concentration, granule size and distance between punches on mechanical strength and drug release properties of tablets containing Malva verticillata mucilage (MVM) as a binder.Methods: Paracetamol and lactose were converted into wet coherent masses by a liquid solution containing 1-3% w/w MVM as a binder. Granules containing 2% w/w binder was used to investigate the effect of granule size and distance between punches. Compressed tablets were evaluated for crushing strength, disintegration time and in vitro drug release using pharmacopeial methods.Results: Granules containing MVM were found to be free-flowing and compatible with paracetamol. Mechanical strength and drug release properties of mucilage tablets significantly correlated with the amount of MVM binder. Tablet crushing strength was 3.54-7.12 kg/cm2 while disintegration time 7.13-16.67 min. Compression pressure and granule size had no significant effects on drug release properties of mucilage tablets. Crushing strength of mucilage tablets were higher and significantly different (t(26) = 7.9631, p<0.05) from acacia tablets in the tested variables. The cumulative drug release rate of mucilage tablets was also lower than that of acacia tablets in tested concentrations.Conclusion: Properties of tablets containing 2.5% w/w MVM matched the prescribed pharmaceutical limits and hence M. verticillata root mucilage has a great potential to become a new source of tablet binder.
Highlights
Tablets remain one of the most important dosage forms of presenting pharmacologically active ingredients
The registered CI (
M. verticillata mucilage is compatible with paracetamol and has the capability to improve granule flow
Summary
Tablets remain one of the most important dosage forms of presenting pharmacologically active ingredients. Common problems encountered during manufacturing and use of tablets include incompatibility, poor flow, mechanical strength and poor drug release rates [1, 2]. The type and amount of binder, granules size and compression pressure influence mechanical strength and bioavailability of the formulated tablet. This calls for optimization of stated variables in order to strike a balance between the properties of compressed tablets. Binders are included in a tablet formulation to improve granule flow, promote cohesiveness and strengthen intra-granular bonds. The choice of a binder depends on compatibility with other ingredients, ability to improve mechanical strength and release of the drug to achieve its intended purposes [1, 4, 5]. The magnitude of compression force affects deformation of granules which subsequently alter tablet hardness and disintegration time with or without significant effect on dissolution rate [10,11,12]
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