Evaluation of Goat Fat as Potential Co-Lubricant in Pharmaceutical Tablet Dosage Form

Abstract

In this study, goat fat co-processed with a combination of magnesium stearate and talc (GMT) was evaluated as a lubricant and compared with magnesium stearate plus talc (MT) and without lubricant using flow of granules, mechanical properties of tablets of crushing strength, the disintegrant properties of tablet disintegration time (DT) and crushing strength friability/disintegration time ratio (CSFR/DT) as assessment parameters. Granules were lubricated with different concentrations of 0.5% w/w, 1.5% w/w, 2.0% w/w and 2.5% w/w of the co-processed lubricant of goat fat, magnesium stearate and talc (GMT) and combination of magnesium stearate and talc (MT) and without lubricant in a paracetamol tablet formulation. The flow of the granules quantified as Hausner ratio, Carr’s index, and angle of repose showed that granules lubricated with the co-processed lubricant of goat fat (GMT) improved the flow properties of paracetamol granules compared to granules lubricated with magnesium stearate and talc alone. The tablet properties of paracetamol prepared from granules lubricated with GMT were comparable with tablets prepared from granules lubricated with MT and without lubricant. The tablets produced by GMT possessed acceptable crushing strength, friability and disintegration time and thus CSFR/DT. The study shows that the lubricant type and concentration influenced the crushing strength and disintegration time of the tablets and the co-processed lubricant could also be useful in situations where a low crushing strength friability/ disintegration (CSFR/DT) value is required, such as sustained release tablet.