Formulation and Characterization of Moringa oleifera Leaf Granules. I: Micromeritic Properties.

Micromeritic properties of pharmaceutical powders are among the primary parameters given serious consideration prior to their formulation into various solid drug delivery systems. To study these, granules of M. oleifera leaf powder were formulated via wet granulation using gelatin (G), polyvinylpyrrolidone (P), and corn starch BP (CS) as binders at various concentrations (1.0 – 5.0% w/w for G and P; 5.0 -10.0% w/w for CS), and CS at 10.0% w/w and 12.5% w/w as disintegrant. The resulting granules and the ungranulated leaf powder were characterized by studying their particle sizes, particle densities, particle size distributions, flow rates, angles of repose, Hausner's ratios, Carr's indices, porosities and bulkiness using standard protocols. Results revealed that, the mean particle diameter for the nongranulated leave powder (MOP) was 192 μm, while those of the granules ranged between 194 μm and 275 μm. The particle densities were of values between 1.12 g/ml and 1.36 g/ml with significant difference between them (p < 0.05); while the flow indices were lowest for MOP. Among the granulated products, granules formulated with gelatin 1% w/w as binder and cornstarch BP 10% w/w as disintegrant displayed the least porosity and bulkiness which translates to the best packability and most economical for production and transportation of the finished product. Based on this study, these excipients are suggested to be given choice consideration in the formulation of M. oleifera granules with acceptable micromeritic properties.