Compression, Mechanical and Release Properties of Paracetamol Tablets containing Acid treated Grewia Gum

Grewia gum a natural gum from the bark of plant Grewia mollis was treated with hydrochloric acid at three different concentrations and three different times. The gum have been evaluated as a binding agent in comparison with both untreated gum and gelatin in paracetamol tablet formulations. Compressional properties of the formulations wereanalyzed using density measurements and assessed by compression equation of Heckel. The mechanical properties of the formulations were assessed using crushing strength and friability as well as crushing strength friability ratio. The drug release properties of the tablets formed were assessed using disintegration and dissolution times. Tablet formulations containing treated grewia gum exhibited low onset of plastic deformation, while that untreated gum and gelatin were relatively high onset of deformation. The friability of paracetamol tablet formulation increases with increase in acid concentration and treatment time. The crushing strength, disintegration and dissolution times decreased with increase in acid concentration and treatment time. Tablets produced with untreated gum showed higher crushing strength, disintegration and dissolution times and low friability than the gelatin and the treated gum. Depending on the desired onset of action of medicament acid treated rewia gum can be used in formulation of conventional tablets especially if the formulation does not require sustained release.