COMPRESSIONAL PROPERTIES OF METRONIDAZOLE TABLET FORMULATIONS CONTAINING ALOE VERA AS BINDING AGENT

The purpose of the present work was to determine the compressional characteristics of metronidazole tablet containing Aloe vera as a binding agent. Metronidazole tablet formulations were prepared using Aloe vera mucilage as a binder at different concentrations (1-5%w/w) and this was compared with formulations containing polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a standard. The tablet properties were assessed using friability, crushing strength and disintegration time while compressional characteristics were analysed using density measurements, Heckel and Kawakita equations. The tablet properties conformed to the Pharmacopoeia standards. Tablets formulated with PVP were generally stronger than tablets made from Aloe Vera. All the batches passed the friability tests and the percentage friability decreased with increase in binder concentration. Formulations containing Aloe Vera disintegrated faster than those containing PVP. Tablets containing Aloe Vera exhibited a faster onset of plastic deformation during compression as indicated by the low Pyvalues and a lower degree of total plastic deformation. Results suggest that Aloe Vera could be a useful binding agent in pharmaceutical formulations

Development and Evaluation of Metronidazole Microspheres using Starch Isolates of Maize Genotypes as Sustained Release Polymer

Genetic engineering of maize plants for improved yield, drought and pest resistance has received considerable attention in agricultural research. This work aims to develop metronidazole microspheres using starches obtained from genetically modified maize cultivars as controlled release polymers. Metronidazole microspheres were prepared by ionotropic gelation method using polymer blend of starches (A and B) isolated from genetically modified maize grains and sodium alginate. The microspheres were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A 32 factorial design was employed using the entrapment efficiency, time taken for 50% (T50) and 90 % (T90) drug release as dependent variables while A, B and polymer-drug ratio were independent variables. SEM reveals that the formulations are polyhedral, hard and discrete with a smooth surface. Metronidazole microspheres formulations containing starch isolates from maize genotypes had significantly higher (p<0.05) entrapment efficiency. Formulations containing a blend of starch and alginate showed a more sustained release than the formulations having only alginate. Values of T90 ranged between 6.12±3.20 to 47.13±7.01 hrs suggesting a sustained release of the drug. Generally, drug release from the microspheres was through erosion and polymer relaxation The effect of type of polymer on the dissolution times was more significant (p<0.05) than those of polymer: drug ratio. This result shows that starches obtained from genetically modified maize grains can be employed as sustained release polymers in the formulation of metronidazole microspheres

COMPRESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Piper Guineense FRUIT

The dried fruit of Piper guineense is widely used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. The objective of this present study was to examine the compressibility of dried powdered fruits of Piper guineense with a view to determining the suitability of its formulation into tablet dosage form. The compressional properties was studied in comparison with that of microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate and corn starch BP using density measurements and the Heckel and Kawakita equations for the analysis of the compression data at dwell times 5, 15 and 30s. The Heckel plots showed that the P. guineense powder is a Type A material and the degree of onset of plastic deformation increases as the dwell time is increased. Piper guineense exhibited the fastest onset of plastic deformation at 30s dwell time and the overall amount of plastic deformation was higher for Piper guineense than cornstarch and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate at all dwell times. The overall amount of plastic deformation for Piper guineense was highest at 15s dwell time. Results suggest that it should be of significant benefit to use a dwell time of 15s for the compression of Piper guineense powder.Key words: Piper guineense, cornstarch, microcrystalline cellulose, dwell time, compressional characteristic

COMPRESSIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Piper Guineense FRUIT

The dried fruit of Piper guineense is widely used for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. The objective of this present study was to examine the compressibility of dried powdered fruits of Piper guineense with a view to determining the suitability of its formulation into tablet dosage form. The compressional properties was studied in comparison with that of microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate and corn starch BP using density measurements and the Heckel and Kawakita equations for the analysis of the compression data at dwell times 5, 15 and 30s. The Heckel plots showed that the P. guineense powder is a Type A material and the degree of onset of plastic deformation increases as the dwell time is increased. Piper guineense exhibited the fastest onset of plastic deformation at 30s dwell time and the overall amount of plastic deformation was higher for Piper guineense than cornstarch and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate at all dwell times. The overall amount of plastic deformation for Piper guineense was highest at 15s dwell time. Results suggest that it should be of significant benefit to use a dwell time of 15s for the compression of Piper guineense powder

Investigation of α-Cellulose Content of Sugarcane Scrappings and Bagasse as Tablet Disintegrant

The aim of this study is to investigate the physicochemical and disintegrant properties of α – cellulose obtained from sugarcane scrapings and bagasse. The mechanical and release properties of paracetamol tablets containing the extracted celluloses and two standard disintegrants- corn starch B.P and microcrystalline cellulose – were determined using crushing strength, friability, disintegration time, the time taken for 50% (T50) and 90% (T90) drug dissolution as assessment parameter. α – cellulose obtained from sugarcane scrapings and bagasse possess better flow properties than cornstarch and microcrystalline cellulose and are capable of absorbing up to five times their own weight in water and swell considerably. α – cellulose obtained from sugarcane scrapings and bagasse have high moisture sorption capacity and they formed relatively softer tablets which became increasingly harder as their concentration increased. All the tablets formulated with cellulose derived from sugarcane scrapings and bagasse passed the official disintegration test for uncoated tablets. Cellulose obtained from sugarcane bagasse had superior disintegrant property to cornstarch and microcrystalline cellulose while cellulose obtained from sugarcane scrapings showed comparable disintegrant property to microcrystalline cellulose. Tablets containing 2.5% w/w cellulose derived from sugarcane scrapings and 5.0% w/w cellulose derived from sugarcane bagasse gave more optimum result as tablet disintegrant. Formulations containing cellulose derived from sugarcane scrapings and bagasse show faster drug release (lower T50&nbsp;and T90) than tablets containing corn starch and microcrystalline cellulose. There was a linear correlation between T90&nbsp;and disintegration time (r = 0.976, p&lt; 0.05) for tablets formulated with cellulose derived from sugarcane scrapings. Results show that α – cellulose obtained from sugarcane bagasse and scrapings are potentially useful as disintegrants in tablet formulations