Effects of varying concentrations of <i>Dioscorea bulbifera</i> (Fam. Dioscoreaceae) startch on some physical properties of paracetamol tablet formation

Abstract

Tablets of paracetamol BP prepared with purified starch obtained from the bulbs of locally cultivated Dioscorea bulbifera in comparison with corn starch BP, both at concentrations, 3-10 %w/w were evaluated for their disintegration time, mechanical properties and dissolution profiles. All the batches of tablets prepared with both starches disintegrated in less than 15 min. Although crushing strength above 60 N across the batches of tablets prepared with both starches were obtained but values of friability less than 1% were only obtained in batches of tablets containing 3 %w/w D. bulbifera and 7.5% w/w corn starches respectively. A plot of varying concentrations of the respective starches versus crushing strength-friability-ratio (CSFR) showed a continuous decrease in CSFR after the application of 3%w/w of D. bulbifera starch while it increased continuously at all the concentrations studied for corn starch. Dissolution profiles show that T-50 was attained in shorter times in the paracetamol tablets prepared with lower concentrations of D. bulbifera starch when compared with those of corn starch BP. Starch obtained from D. bulbifera may thus serve as alternative to corn starch as disintegrant if applied in concentration above 5 % w/w and as possible binder in concentrations less than 5 %w/w in paracetamol tablet formulation. Keywords: Dioscorea bulbifera starch, corn starch, tablet physical propertiesJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 5 (2010)