Studies on Orally Disintegrating Tablets Prepared by Using Natural and Synthetic Superdisintegrants

Abstract

The objective of present study was to compare the disintegration efficiency of mucilage isolated from Plantago ovata with commonly used synthetic superdisintegrant, croscarmellose sodium in the formulation of orally disintegrating tablets. Effects of varying concentration of both superdisintegrants on disintegration time were studied. Orally disintegrating tablets of metoclopramide hydrochloride were prepared using selected superdisintegrants by direct compression technique. Prepared tablets were evaluated for weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration time, wetting time, water absorption ratio and dissolution test. Swelling index was also investigated for comparing the swelling property of croscarmellose sodium with mucilage of Plantago ovata. Swelling index of mucilage isolated from Plantago ovata was found to be greater (94 ± 2.5% v/v) when compared with croscarmellose sodium (85 ± 1.5% v/v). The present study indicated that mucilage isolated from natural source proved to be more effective for their disintegrating property than the most commonly used synthetic superdisintegrant, croscarmellose sodium.