Abstract

PHYSICO-TECHNICAL PROPERTIES OF THE GRANULES AND TABLETS OF MICRONISED MORINGA OLEIFERA LEAF: THE EFFECT OF BINDERS

Dr. Philip F. Builders* Olubunmi J. Olayemi and Chukwuemeka C. Mbah

ABSTRACT

Background: An important challenge militating against the general acceptance of herbal medicines is the formulation of appropriate dosage form that meets conventional quality standards. Thus, the objectives of this study are to formulate the micronized leaf of Moringa oleifera into robust tablets and evaluate the effect of some traditional binders on the quality of the tablets. Methods: The leaves of M. oleifera were micronized to a particle size < 150 μm. Granules of the powder were respectively produced using water, aqueous dispersions of acacia, and maize starch paste as binders. Various physicochemical properties of the granules such as the flow, equilibrium moisture uptake (EMU) were evaluated. The granules were respectively compressed into tablets and the quality of the tablets was evaluated by standard methods by testing the friability, disintegration time, tensile strength, and EMU of the formulated tablets. Results: The results showed that granules produced with aqueous dispersion of acacia as binder had higher EMU than the granules produced with water and maize starch. Tablets formulated with water as binder had higher tensile strength; similarly the disintegration time of the tablets produced with water, acacia and maize starch were all within the British Pharmacopoeia limits of acceptance. Conclusions: the granules of microniized leaf of M. oleifera prepared with water, aqueous dispersion of acacia and starch paste showed variable physicochemical properties. On compression of the granules robust tablets that met official criteria for quality acceptance were successfully formulated with the binders.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera leaf, herbal formulation, physico-technical properties, tablets properties, granule properties