Evaluation of Cissus populnea gum as a directly compressible matrix system for tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the compactibility, mechanical and release properties of tramadol tablets prepared by direct compression using cissus gum, a naturally occurring plant polymer as directly compressible excipient in comparison with xanthan gum. Compactibility was measured by Heckle, mechanical properties by tensile strength and friability, and release properties by dissolution profile. Student t-test with GraphPad Prism 5 was used to identify differences between data at p < 0.05. The result showed that the Py of xanthan formulation was significantly lower than cissus formulations (p = 0.03). Onset of plastic deformation was directly dependent on the concentration of the polymer and the properties of the active ingredient. The presence of the active ingredient retarded the onset of plastic deformation. There was increase in crushing strength and tensile strength with decrease in friability as the concentration of the polymer increased in all formulations. The mechanical properties of cissus gum and xanthan gum formulations were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Tramadol dissolution decreased as the concentration of the polymers increased. Cissus gum has some properties that would make it suitable as direct compressible excipient in matrix systems for extended-release.