Preformulation studies on Lactuca sativa as nutraceuticals granules

Abstract

The utilization of natural products for their pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals purposes have high value in prevention and treatment of myriad illness. In pharmaceutical industry the formulation of natural products into an effective and stable dosage form necessitate evaluation of the processing techniques required and the properties of the product obtained. Therefore the objective of the present study was to prepare and evaluate lettuce leaves Lactuca sativa granules in a view to develop solid dosage forms. Lettuce leaves were washed with water, one batch was dried in open air and the other one in oven and grinded into fine powder. Dried powdered lettuce leaves were granulated without and with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) at various water concentrations. The prepared granules were evaluated for its particle size distribution, bulk density, tapped density, hausners index, Carr's index, friability, flowability and water absorption. The influence of water concentration, PVP addition and drying methods on the granule properties were also investigated. The results obtained showed that lettuce granules possess good flow properties and can be used as a candidate for the formulation of solid dosage forms particularly tablets. © 2013 PenerbitUTM Press. All rights reserved.