Evaluation of the Binding Property of Irvingia Gabonesis Gum in Paracetamol Tablet Formulations Produced using Two Different Disintegrants

Paracetamol is mainly used as analgesic and antipyretic drug. This study was conducted to evaluate the binding property of Irvingia gabonensis gum (IGG) in paracetamol tablet formulations in the presence of either maize starch or microcrystalline cellulose as disintegrant. IGG was isolated by acetone precipitation of the filtrate from the maceration of the powdered seeds of Irvingia gabonensis (Irvingiaceae) in distilled water for 24 h. Paracetamol granules were prepared using the wet granulation method. They were produced by using various concentration of IGG as binder, maize starch or microcrystalline cellulose as disintegrants and lactose as filler. The different formulations of paracetamol granules were mixed with magnesium stearate and talc and compressed into the respective tablets. The tablets were evaluated based on uniformity of weight, tablet hardness, friability, disintegration time and in vitro drug release. The tablet hardness for the paracetamol tablet formulations ranged from 2.27±0.09 to 8.00±0.54 Kgf. The friability values ranged from 0.21 ± 0.04 to 3.40±0.10%. The disintegration time ranged from 3.00±0.10 to 23±0.50 min. Tablets from all the formulations released up to 70% of their paracetamol contents within 25 min. For all the formulations, as the binder concentration increased the rate of drug release decreased. For tablets prepared using IGG as binder; formulations that contain microcrystalline cellulose as disintegrant had better release profile than those prepared using maize starch as disintegrant. The study shows that IGG have good binding property. Paracetamol tablets formulated using IGG as binder have comparable hardness value but lower disintegration time than those formulated using maize starch mucilage as binder.