Utilization of Pectin from Okra as Binding Agent in Immediate Release Tablets

Polymeric materials from plants continue to be of interest to pharmaceutical scientists as potential binders in immediate release tablets due to availability, sustainability, and constant supply to feed local pharmaceutical industries. Paracetamol tablet formulations were utilized in investigating the potential binding characteristics of pectin harnessed from various okra genotypes (PC1-PC5) in Ghana. The pectin yields from the different genotypes ranged from 6.12 to 18.84%w/w. The pH of extracted pectin ranged from 6.39 to 6.92, and it had good swelling indices and a low moisture content. Pectin extracted from all genotypes were evaluated as binders (10, 15, and 20%w/v) and compared to tragacanth BP. All formulated tablets (F1-F18) passed the weight uniformity, drug content, hardness, and friability tests. Based on their crushing strength, tablets prepared with pectin from the various genotypes were relatively harder ( P ≤ 0.05 ) than tablets prepared with tragacanth BP. Tablets prepared with pectins as binders at 10%w/v and 15%w/v passed the disintegration and dissolution tests with the exception of PC4 at 15%w/v. Incorporation of pectin from all genotypes (excluding PC5) as a binder at concentrations above 15%w/v (F13, F16, F14, and F15) produced tablets which failed the disintegration test and showed poor dissolution profiles. Thus, pectin from these genotypes can be industrially commodified as binders in immediate release tablets using varying concentrations.

Evaluation of the Disintegrant Properties of Silicified Oryza sativa Starch Co-Processed with Dioscorea dumentorum Starch in Directly Compressed Paracetamol Tablet Formulations

Starch is a readily available excipient which finds application in the pharmaceutical industry as binders, diluents and disintegrants. The use of starch is however limited by its poor flow characteristics. Co-processing exploits the desirable attributes of excipients, while masking the undesirable properties. Co-processed starch, thus presents great potential for use in formulation of directly compressed tablets which require materials with strong inherent cohesive and free flowing properties. In this study, Dioscorea dumentorum (Family: Dioscoreaceae) Starch (DdS) is co-processed with silicified rice starch (SRS) obtained from Oryza sativa; Family: Poaceae was incorporated as a disintegrant in directly compressed paracetamol tablet formulations in comparison with silicified rice starch and Avicel® as the official standard. Rice and DdS were extracted following standard procedures. The rice starch was silicified using colloidal silicon dioxide and co-processed with DdS in the ratio SRS:DdS (1:2). The DdS, SRS and SRS:DdS (1:2) were characterized using FTIR, particle size, angle of repose, bulk and tapped densities, Hausner ratio and Carr’s index. Paracetamol powder was directly compressed into tablets incorporating the co-processed excipient (SRS:DdS; 1:2) as disintegrants alongside Avicel®, SRS and DdS at varying concentrations (10% w/w, 15% w/w, 20% w/w, 25% w/w). The properties of the tablets were evaluated using friability, crushing strength and disintegration as the assessment parameters. Measurements were made in triplicates and the results were statistically analyzed. The yield of the starches was 41% w/w and 39% w/w for rice starch and DdS respectively. Silicifying the rice starch markedly improved the flow of the starch with a change of Carr’s index and Hausner ratio from 16.7 and 1.32 to 2.33 and 1.02 respectively. Tablets containing Avicel® had better crushing strength and friability values than those containing SRS: 2DdS at all disintegrant concentrations. The disintegration times for Avicel® and SRS: DdS compared favourably at all concentrations of disintegrant and at 15% w/w disintegrant, SRS: DdS showed better disintegrant properties than Avicel®.

An Evaluation of Dictyophora indusiata Mucilage as a Binder in Tablet Formulations

Dictyophora indusiata known as bamboo mushroom is an edible mushroom in Genus Dictyophora, Family Phallaceae that could produce highly viscous mucilage encased in the peridium. The viscous mucilage is clear-colorless hydrocolloid with high viscosity and high adhesive nature which made it possible to be developed into pharmaceutical excipients. This research work aimed at the application of the mucilage as a tablet binder. The mucilage was prepared as redispersible powder by lyphilization before used. The dried mucilage could be effectively used as a binder in paracetamol tablet formulations both as dry and wet binder. Increasing of the dried mucilage amount caused the stronger tablet with higher disintegration time. The optimum concentrations of the dried mucilage in tablet formulations were 2.0% w/w as dry binder and 1.0% w/w as wet binder. The obtained tablets revealed low friability and fast disintegration time. The drug dissolution was conformable to USP37 standard and comparable to that of commercial product. Accordingly, the Dictyophora indusiata mucilage could be functionally used as a tablet binder

Study of self-drug administration among 3rd professional medical students

Background: Self-medication is very common in our day-to-day life which is an unhealthy and risky practice. Present study was done to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice among 3rd professional medical students of Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital, Dhanbad.Methods: A questionnaire related to self-medication with consent was prepared and distributed among the students of 3rd professional. Data was collected and analysed the results expressed as counts and percentages.Results: Total 50 students participated in the study for taking self-medication and was no need to visit the doctor for minor illness. In maximum students, source of information of the drugs used for self-medication pharmacological based and learning process in the college. The source of drug was medical store. Most of the students took self-medication for loose motion and headache followed by cough, cold and fever. Out of total 50 students, most of the students took paracetamol tablet as self-medication.Conclusions: This study showed that third professional medical students after they studied pharmacological books, they do not use any wrong medicine as self-medication. High level of awareness of 3rd professional students has minimized self-medication.

Potential and Comparative Tablet Disintegrant Properties of Pectin Obtained from Five Okra Genotypes in Ghana

Okra pectin has been studied as a potential excipient in tablet formulations for pharmaceutical industries. Okra is widely grown and available in Ghana and other parts of the world. The prospective use of pectin from okra genotypes grown in Ghana as tablet disintegrants has not been reported. This study aims to determine the potential and comparative disintegrating properties of pectin from five okra genotypes (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in Ghana using uncoated immediate release paracetamol tablet formulations. The yield of the pectin from the various genotypes ranged between 6.12 and 18.84% w/w. The extracted pectins had pH ranging from slightly acidic to almost neutral (6.39–6.92). Pectin from the various genotypes exhibited good swelling indexes (˃200%), varying solubility in different solvents, and low moisture content (˂20%). Elemental analysis of the extracted pectin from the various genotypes revealed very low levels of toxic metals and micronutrients. Pectin from the various genotypes was evaluated as disintegrants within concentrations of 5–10% w/w (F1–F18). Their disintegrating properties were compared to that of maize starch BP. All the formulated batches of uncoated immediate release paracetamol tablets (F1–F18) passed the following: uniformity of weight test, uniformity of dimensions, hardness, friability (˂1%), and drug content (95–105%). Significant differences ( p ≤ 0.05 ) were observed between the hardness of the maize starch tablets and tablets formulated from pectin of the various genotypes. Pectin from all genotypes other than PC5 exhibited good disintegrating properties (DT ˂ 15 min) and subsequently passed the dissolution profile test (≥70% release in 45 minutes). Tablets formulated with PC5 as disintegrants at all concentrations (5% w/w (F5), 7.5% w/w (F11), and 10% w/w (F17)) failed the disintegration and dissolution tests. Ultimately, pectins extracted from PC1, PC2, PC3, and PC4 can be commercially exploited as disintegrants in immediate release tablets.

Effect of Beverages on Release of Paracetamol Tablet by In-vitro Dissolution Method Using Modified Media

Oral route of drug delivery is one of the most preferred route of drug administration. People often consume oral solids, especially OTC drugs, at any time before or after breakfast with water or any other available hot or cold beverages. Crocin is one of the popular OTC brands of paracetamol, which is preferred in large number. Patient consumes this OTC tablet with available beverages which may be hot or cold. However, beverages interact with paracetamol, affecting the release of drug. In view of this, work was focused on study of the effect of various beverages such as coffee, tea, milk, carbonated drink and buttermilk on release of paracetamol (Crocin tablet) tablet using USP type II dissolution apparatus. Dissolution media used was modified phosphate buffer (pH 5.8) which was further added with beverages and was analyzed by UV spectrophotometrically. Dissolution profile revealed the maximum drug release 97.03 ± 1.29% in plain water was while minimum with tea 23.64 ± 2.00%. In conclusion, beverages consumed while administering with paracetamol tablet affects the release of drug and therefore should be cautiously used or avoided with dosage forms.

STUDY OF THE FUNCTIONALITY OF A NOVEL SOLUTION BINDER OBTAINED FROM OCIMUM BASILICUM SEEDS: A MECHANISTIC APPROACH

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the functionality of the hydrogel isolated from the seeds of Ocimum basilicum (Gel) as a novel solution binder. Methods: Paracetamol is known to possess poor manufacturability. Therefore it was selected as a model drug to study the efficiency of Gel as a solution binder. Paracetamol tablets were prepared at gradually increasing compression pressure from the granules prepared by using Gel of various viscosities as a solution binder. Compactibility parameter was calculated to assess the utility of Gel as a novel tablet binder. Optimization of the formulation was done by adopting factorial design as an appropriate DOE. Tablets of factorial batches were evaluated for disintegration time and crushing strength. The effect of viscosity of binder solution used to prepare granulation and compression pressure applied on granulation on the performance of the tablets was confirmed by analyzing the data using ANOVA. Results: The addition of binder solution to prepare granulation with the viscosity ≥ 19.33 centipoises was found to be suitable to attain desired degree of agglomeration. The crushing strength of the tablets was found to be increased with an increase in compression pressure and an increase in viscosity of binder solution. Conclusion: The compatibility parameter was observed to be increased as the viscosity of the binder solution added in the formulation was gradually increased. The Gel as a binder material was found to deform plastically at compression pressures 34.48 to 75.85 MPa. This confirmed its functionality as a solution binder in Paracetamol tablet preparation.

Evaluation of the Direct Compression Properties of Microcrystalline Cellulose Obtained from Cassava Fermentation Waste in Paracetamol Tablet Formulations

Background: Natural materials have gained a lot of significance in the field of drug delivery because of their cost effectiveness and ready availability.Purpose: The study aimed at evaluating the direct compression property of microcrystalline cellulose from cassava fermentation waste in directly compressed paracetamol tablet formulations.Methods: Alkali delignification of the dried cassava fermentation fibres, followed by bleaching and acid depolymerisation was employed in the extraction of α-cellulose and conversion to microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The MCC obtained and Avicel® were used at different concentrations (5.0-15 %w/w) to formulate batches of paracetamol tablets by directed compression. A comparative evaluation of the formulated paracetamol granules and tablets properties were undertaken.Results: The paracetamol granules formulated showed good flowability with Hausner’s ratios of 1.15-1.25, Carr’s indices of 13.10-20.00 % and angles of repose ≤ 34.41°. The formulated tablets showed good hardness (> 5.0 kgf) and disintegration time within 10 min. Only tablets containing 5.0 and 7.5 %w/w of the test MCC failed the BP dissolution test specification for tablets which stipulates that at least 70 % of the drug should be in solution after 30 min.Conclusion: This study has shown that the extracted MCC has direct compression ability evidenced in the mechanical strength of the formulated paracetamol tablets. The tablet properties of the formulated paracetamol tablets revealed pharmaceutically acceptable tablets though they were not comparable with Avicel® at all concentrations and the MCC may serve as an alternative local source for direct compression excipient. Keywords: Cassava, microcrystalline cellulose, direct compression, paracetamol, tablets

Evaluation of super-disintegrant potential of acid-modified starch derived from Borassus aethiopum (Aracaceae) shoot in paracetamol tablet formulations

Purpose: To evaluate the super-disintegrant potentials of acid modified Borassus aethiopum starch (AMS) in comparison with native starch (NS) and commercial disintegrant sodium starch glycolate (SSG). Methods: Compatibility of AMS with paracetamol powder was evaluated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry. Seven batches of paracetamol granules and tablets were prepared by wet granulation. AMS and NS were employed as disintegrants at concentrations of 2.43, 4.86 and 9.72 %w/w, respectively while 4.86 %w/w SSG was used as standard disintegrant. All the batches of the granules were compressed under the same compression settings. The properties of the granules as well as those of the tablets were assessed. Results: AMS was compatible with paracetamol powder as no noticeable interaction was observed in FTIR study. The paracetamol tablets formulated using AMS as disintegrant demonstrated satisfactory friability, weight uniformity, hardness, and superior disintegration characteristics to the formulations containing NS and SSG as disintegrant. Even at a lower concentration (2.43 %w/w), AMS possessed better disintegrant property than NS and SSG. AMS and NS had dimensionless disintegrant quantity of 1.447 and 0.005, respectively. As expected, increase in AMS concentration showed a decrease in disintegration time. Conclusion: AMS could be a potential low-cost super-disintegrant in formulation of paracetamol tablets. Keywords: Acid modified starch, Borassus aethiopum, Disintegrant, Compatibility