Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF DICLOFENAC MATRIX TABLETS CONTAINING A HYDROPHILIC POLYMER, SIDA ACUTA GUM

*Okafo Sinodukoo Eziuzo and Chukwu Amarauche

Abstract

This study was carried out to formulate and evaluate hydrophilic matrix diclofenac tablet produced using Sida acuta gum (SAG) isolated from the powdered dried leaves of Sida acuta. Diclofenac matrix tablets containing 20-30% SAG, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) or SAG/HPMC, as matrix former were formulated using nonaqueous wet granulation method. The tablets were evaluated based on in vitro dissolution, swelling behavior, tablet hardness and friability, kinetics and mechanism of release. Tablet hardness ranged from 1.17 ± 0.29 to 6.22 ± 2.27 kgf. Tablet friability ranged from 0.17 to 0.95 %. Drug content ranged from 99.10 to 103.45 %. In vitro dissolution analysis showed that only formulations DS 1, DS 3 and DS 6 released < 50 % of diclofenac after 6 hr, while 100 % drug release was achieved in all the formulations from 7 h to > 12 h. The swelling index was in the order; HPMC > HPMC/SAG > SAG. SAG has swelling index that was approximately 25, 36, 50 and 70 % that of HPMC after 1, 3, 7 and 15 hr respectively. The order of release was first order except for DS6 and DS8 were zero order was predominant. The mechanism of release was by super case II transport except for DS 8 and DS 9 matrix tablets that was by anomalous (non – fickian) diffusion. There was no significant change in drug properties (p ≤ 0.05) after 6 months of storage at ambient temperature. Diclofenac matrix tablet was formulated using SAG as the matrix former.

Keywords: Diclofenac, Sida acuta gum, hydrophilic polymer, matrix tablet.