Formulation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Sustained Release Tablets Using Natural Polymers

The current work deals with the formulation and development of sustained release tablets of Aceclofenac using natural polymers. Anacardium Occidentale (Cashew) gum and xanthan gum were used as a sustained release polymers. Literature survey has revealed that Anacardium Occidentale (Cashew) gum has been used as a pharmaceutical excipient, namely: as a binding agent in tablet formulations, emulsifying agent in emulsions, suspending agent in suspensions and mucoadhesive in mucoadhesive tablet. In this present study we tried to explore its drug release control properties. Aceclofenac drug was used as model drug and xanthan gum was used alone and in combination with cashew gum. Collected cashew gum was purified and checked for its purity by determination of microbial load. Different formulations were set by taking different concentrations of cashew gum, xanthan gum and combinations of both the gums. Tablets were prepared using wet (non-aqueous) granulation method. The flow properties of the granules were evaluated (angle of repose, bulk density, taped density, Car’s index, Hausner’s ratio) and the physical properties of the compressed tablets, namely dimensions, uniformity of weight, hardness, friability and dissolution rate were determined. All results obtained from these tests were found to be within permissible limit. The granules had good flow properties as evidenced by their Hausner’s ratio and Carr’s index values. From the overall result obtained and drug release profile we can conclude that cashew gum can be used as sustained release polymer in sustained release tablet.