International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, 2014, 4, 2, 102-106.
DOI: 10.4103/2230-973X.133059
Published: May 2014
Type: Original Article
Authors:
Ravi Teja Pusapati
Department of Pharmaceutics, Bapatla College of Pharmacy, Bapatla, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
MVR Kalyan Kumar
Department of Pharmaceutics, Bapatla College of Pharmacy, Bapatla, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Siva Satyanandam Rapeti
Department of Pharmaceutics, Bapatla College of Pharmacy, Bapatla, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
TEGK Murthy
Department of Pharmaceutics, Bapatla College of Pharmacy, Bapatla, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Co-processed excipients were prepared to improve the process ability and efficacy of commonly used excipients and to impart multi-functional qualities to the excipients and hence that the tablets with the desired attributes can be produced. In this study, acacia and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) were used to prepare a co-processing excipient suitable for the preparation of atorvastatin calcium tablets. Acacia is used as binder and CaCO3 as f ller. CaCO3 also acts as alkalizer and thus suitable to improve the dissolution rate of pH dependent soluble drugs like atorvastatin. Materials and Methods: The tablets were prepared by direct compression method and the physical properties of tablets such as hardness, friability and dissolution prof les of tablets were evaluated. Acacia was used in the form of mucilage. Various ratios of the co-processing excipients were formulated by granulation technique and the blend properties were evaluated by their Hausner’s ratio and Carr’s index values. Based on the Kawakita plots, it was found that the formulation with 3% acacia mucilage (0.9 mg acacia and 26.6 mg of CaCO3) showed good f uidity and the formulations with 4% (1.27 mg of acacia and 26.23 mg of CaCO3) and 5% acacia mucilage (1.62 mg of acacia and 25.88 mg of CaCO3) showed more cohesiveness. The formulations include 1-5% of the acacia mucilage as the binding agent. Results: The granules of formulations with low percentage of acacia mucilage (1% and 2%) failed the test for friability. The granules of the formulations with pure acacia (F1) and pure CaCO3 (F2) showed passable f ow properties. Conclusion: The formulation with 3% acacia mucilage (F3, 0.9 mg acacia and 26.6 mg of CaCO3) showed least dissolution time (<1 min) and is found as the best formulation among the other formulations containing 4% (F4, 1.27 mg of acacia and 26.23 mg of CaCO3) and 5% (F5, 1.62 mg of acacia and 25.88 mg of CaCO3) acacia mucilage
Keywords:Acacia, Alkalizer, Calcium carbonate, Granulation technique .