ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Binders are used to hold the constituents in a tablets together. They promote cohesion. They can be added dry or in solution form. This guarantees that the tablet will remain intact after compression. Materials having weak or no inherent cohesive properties will need a stronger binder. A common binding agent extensively used in tablets formulations is starch mucilage (5- 20%). Bambara nut is locally available in the Nigerian market but it's starch has not been fully explored for it's binding properties as an alternative to maize starch. Hence, the need for this research.
AIM: To study the effect of the binders, Bambara nut starch and Maize starch on the mechanical properties of diclofenac tablets and also to see if there are any considerable differences in their binding properties when used in the formulation of diclofenac tablets.
METHOD: Wet granulation was used to produce granules with different ratios of the binders, Bambara nut starch and maize starch mucilage. The bulk and tapped densities, the angle of repose, the Hausner's ratio, the Carr's index, and the flow characteristics of the granules were all calculated. The produced tablets' mechanical characteristics (hardness, friability, weight uniformity, and dissolving) were researched.
Results: The powder mixtures of batches had angle of repose between 18.10-28.90°, Hausner’s ratio ranging from 1.11-1.34, Carr’s index between 10.52-25% as well as bulk and tapped densities ranging between 0.63-0.73g/ml and 0.73-0.91g/ml respectively. The eight batches had uniform weight with low standard deviation value within the B.P limits, optimal hardness values (between 7.3 - 11.28kg/cm²), friability values of 0.44-0.70% (<1%) and they released about 70.68% of their drug content within 8 hours of dissolution studies for tablets formulated with Bambara nut starch. While the tablets formulated with maize starch released about 75.45% within 12 hours.
Conclusion: Diclofenac sodium was successfully prepared using maize starch mucilage and Bambara nut starch. Tablets prepared with Bambara nut starch had better binding properties than tablets prepared with maize starch mucilage.
