Abstract
A comparative study has been carried out to investigate the binder effects of the gums ofCissus populnea and Accasia senegal on the mechanical properties of paracetamol tablets. Tablet mechanical properties evaluated include the packing fraction (Pf), the tensile strength (T) and the brittle fracture tendency (BFI). Varying concentrations of the gum mucilage ranging from 1 - 15% (w/v) was prepared and their relative viscosities determined. Each concentration was used to wet massed paracetamol powder to form granules. Tablets of paracetamol (500 ± 6.5 mg) were compressed at a constant compression load (7 arbitruary units on the scale). The tablets were equilibrated for 24 h before evaluation. At all binder concentrations A. senegal gum produced harder and more consolidated tablets than C. populnea as reflected by the higher T and Pf values respectively. For instance, the T and Pf values of the tablets at binder concentration of 10% (w/v) were 0.69 MNm-2 and 0.47 (A. senegal) and 0.57 MNm-2 and 0.23 (C.populnea), respectively. On the contrary, an increase in binder concentration generally resulted in a decrease in BFI values and this decrease was more marked with C.populnea. The study showed that A. senegal mucilage displayed better tableting characteristics and higher tendency for ameliorating capping tendency. Both mucilages have the potentials for substitution as binder for the more expensive starches in tablet formulation. Key words: Cissus populnea, Acassia senegal gum, paracetamol tablet, tensile strength, brittle fracture index, packing fraction, binder effect.
Highlights
Binders are pharmaceutical excipient that are commonly employed in tablet formulation to impact cohesion on the powder mix and improves on the flow properties on the granules (Kottke et al, 1992; DiSanto, 1995; Prescott and Barnum, 2000)
A common trend of increase in the gum concentration resulted in a corresponding increase in the viscosity index of the gum irrespective of binder type. This increase was more marked in A. senegal gum than with C. populnea mucilage
Senegal mucilage formed harder compact with stronger inter particulate cohesive bonds than C. populnea
Summary
Binders are pharmaceutical excipient that are commonly employed in tablet formulation to impact cohesion on the powder mix and improves on the flow properties on the granules (Kottke et al, 1992; DiSanto, 1995; Prescott and Barnum, 2000). Binders act by causing aggregation of powders thereby forming granules through the process of granulation. They modify the cohesive properties of the granules by promoting the formation of strong cohesive bonds between such particles. The brittle fracture tendency phenomenon (BFI) which is a measure of the tendency of the compact to cap or laminate during ejection from machine dies has been employed as one of such techniques, (Hiestand et al, 1977; Okor et al, 1998; Uhumwangho et al, 2004, 2006).
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