Evaluation of disintegrating properties of Borassus flabellifer Mucilage

Plant products serve as an alternative to synthetic products because of local accessibility, eco friendly nature and lower price compared to imported synthetic products. Natural gums and mucilage have been widely explored as pharmaceutical excipients. Tablet disintegration has received considerable attention as an essential step in obtaining fast drug release. The present study was undertaken to isolate mucilage from Borassus flabellifer endosperm and explored its use as disintegrant by formulating tablets of metformin. Extracted Mucilage was subjected to toxicity studies for its safety and preformulation studies for its suitability as a disintegrating agent. The extracted mucilage is devoid of toxicity. No chemical interaction between drug and excipients was confirmed by FTIR, TLC and DSC studies. Mouth dissolving tablets of metformin were prepared and compared with different concentrations viz; 0.5,1, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5%(w/w) of Borassus flabellifer mucilage powder and Ac-Di-Sol ®. The prepared tablets were characterized by FTIR, TLC and DSC studies. Ten formulations were prepared and evaluated for physical parameters such as thickness, hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content, disintegration time and drug dissolution. The formulated tablets had good appearance and better drug release properties. The study revealed that Borassus flabellifer mucilage powder was effective as disintegrant in low concentrations (1%). The mucilage was found to be a superior disintegrating agent than Ac-Di-Sol ®. Studies indicate that the extracted mucilage may be a good source of pharmaceutical adjuvant, specifically a disintegrating agent.