FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF METRONIDAZOLE TABLETS USING NATURAL GUM

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to formulate the metronidazole tablets using natural Aloe vera gum as binding agent. Materials and Methods: To determine the binding properties of the extracted A. vera gum were used for the preparation of metronidazole tablets and compared with other binding agents such as acacia and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Physical properties such as hardness, friability, disintegration time, and in vitro dissolution rate are the important parameter which determines for each formulation. Three batches of metronidazole tablets are prepared using acacia (F1), sodium CMC (F2), and A. vera gum (F3) as binding agent. Results: The granules were evaluated by determining the angle of repose (26.01 ± 0.110–27.18 ± 0.166°), bulk density, tapped density, Hausner ratio, and Carr’s index. It shows satisfactory results. At time 90 min, the percentage release of drug for F1, F2, and F3 was 44.947%, 31.467%, and 53.424%, respectively. The tablets prepared with A. vera gum showed faster release profile than other binders. Conclusion: From the results, it was shown that tablets prepared with A. vera gum have good binding properties and also helped tablets for faster release.