Design and Optimization of Matrix Tablets of Diclofenac Sodium Using a Natural Gum

Experimental design was utilized in the study to simultaneously investigate the effect of varying the type of diluent and the percentage of the matrixing agent on the drug release behavior from matrix tablets. The objective of the study was to design oral sustained release matrix tablets of diclofenac sodium using gum tiruman and to optimize the drug release profile using response surface methodology. Matrix tablets were prepared by wet granulation method. A 3²full factorial design was employed to optimize the formulation where the type of diluents (X₁) and concentration of the gum (X₂) were taken as independent variables. Percentage drug release at 1h, 4h, 8h, time required for 50% drug release and zero order rate constant were selected as dependent variables. Matrix tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, and in vitro drug release. Polynomial equations and response surface plots were generated for all dependent variables using multiple regression analysis. The results indicating that release of the drug was primarily influenced by concentration of gum, type of diluent.