Research Article - Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2014) Volume 4, Issue 38

Preliminary investigation of Mechanical Properties of Paracetamol Tablets Formulated with Microcrystalline Cellulose Binder Derived from Saccharum officinarum, L.

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a multifunctional excipient in drug formulation. However, the dependent of most developing countries on importation of this excipient invariably increases the cost of drug production. Thus, this work preliminarily assessed the suitability of the MCC derived from partially processed stem of Saccharum officinarum, L. (DMCC) comparatively with commercial MCC (Avicel® PH 101) incorporated as binders in a paracetamol tablet formulation. The excipients were assessed based on their physicochemical and flow properties. The formulated tablets, compressed at three different loads – 10, 15 and 20 KgF – were evaluated for weight uniformity, crushing strength and friability. The flow indices showed that both DMCC and Avicel® PH 101 have comparably good flowability. Tablets containing DMCC showed excellent weight uniformity, crushing strength and friability and all conformed to official monograph. There were no significant difference between the parameters determined for the two binders (p<0.05). The higher the compression load, the higher was the crushing strength and vice versa for friability. The difference between the values of these parameters was statistically significant (p>0.05). The results obtained are suggestive of the fact that the use of DMCC as binder compared well with the commercial MCC and may thus be developed as a potential substitute in some tablet formulations.

Author(s): Adedokun MO, Nkori RE

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