Formulation and evaluation of flurbiprofen fast disintegrating tablets using natural superdisintegrants

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this research was to formulate the fast disintegrating tablets (FDT’s) of flurbiprofen incorporating superdisintegrants, isolated from natural sources such as Plantago ovata (PO) seeds, Lepidium sativum (LS) seeds, and agar-agar (malt agar). Methods: Superdisintegrants were isolated from their natural sources using reported methods. Swelling index and hydration capacity were determined for the natural superdisintegrants to know their disintegration capacity. The tablet formulations were designed using isolated natural superdisintegrants. The powder blends were evaluated for pre-compressional parameters such as angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index, and Hausner’s ratio. FDT’s were prepared by direct compression method. The compressed tablets were characterized for post-compression parameters. Results: All formulations had hardness, friability, weight variation, and drug content within the pharmacopoeial limits. The wetting time was 84-254 seconds, in vitro disintegration time was between 59.2 and 221 seconds, and in vitro drug release was as low as LS1 - 11.80% to a maximum of PO4 - 98.99% after 4 minutes of study. Among all, optimized formulation was PO4, as it showed good wetting time 84 seconds, fastest disintegration time 59.2 seconds, dispersion time 135 seconds, and drug release of 98.99% within 4 minutes. Conclusion: Flurbiprofen FDT’s were successfully developed using isolated natural disintegrants. The natural disintegrants isolated showed promising results and can prove as effective alternative for synthetic disintegrants.