Description

Abstract Tablet formulation of the crude aqueous extract of the leaves of Vernonia galamensis, used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in folk medicine was carried out using the wet granulation method. The dried extract is deliquescent and hygroscopic, therefore efflorescent diluents were carefully selected for the formulation. Aim: To establish suitable diluents and binders for good quality tablet formulation of the deliquescent extract of Vernonia galamensis. Materials and Methods: The selected diluents and binders were; calcium phosphate (Hopkins and Williams, UK), aerosil® 200 (GmbH, Meggle, Germany) and avicel® PH 101 (FMC Corporation, USA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (BDH chemicals Ltd, Poole, England), maize starch and gelatin (May and Baker, Germany). Crushing strength, friability, disintegration and dissolution times of tablets were determined as specified in BP 2007. The mechanical strengths of tablets were assessed using the crushing strength-friability, disintegration time ratio (CSFR:DT) and the drug release properties using dissolution times. Statistical analysis: GraphPad Prism® version 5.03 software was used. Results and conclusion: Drug release profiles show that only formulations containing calcium phosphate as diluent and polyvinylpyrrolidone as binder met the BP 2007 specification for uncoated tablets, which states that 70% of the active medicament should be released within 45 min.
Keywords:Diabetes mellitus, Vernonia galamensis, tablets, mechanical strength, dissolution