DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINED RELEASE MATRIX TABLET OF DICLOFENAC SODIUM USING NATURAL POLYMER

In the present investigation an attempt has been made to study the formulation and evaluation of matrix tablets of diclofenac sodium using natural mucilage of Abelmoschus esculentus as a release retardant. The mucilage was extracted from the fruit of Abelmoschus esculentus using acetone. The mucilage was characterized for physiochemical and powder characteristics. T he matrix tablets were formulated using different drug polymer ratio (1:0.25, 1:0.5, 1:0.75, 1:1). The developed formulations of tablets were evaluated for pre - compression and post - compression parameters. The results of pre - compression parameters like bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index and Hausner’s ratio were found to be within the limits indicating good flow properties of the granules. Swelling index reveals that with increasing mucilage concentration there is increased swelling showing 51.34% for F4 at the end of 5 h where as for F1 and F2 it was around 43.43 % and 44.47 % respectively. In - vitro drug release for F4 formulation was found to be 98.97% at the end of 10 h. With increase in mucilage concentration the drug release from the matrix tablet s got retarded. In - vitro drug release data obtained were fitted to various release models access the possible mechanism of drug release. All the formulations showed matrix (exponential model) as a best fit model and the release mechani sm was found to be an omalous (non Fickian) transport mechanism. Therefore both diffusion and erosion mechanism was play role release from natural gum. Mat rix tablets of diclofenac sodium using natural mucilage of Abelmoschus esculentus as a release retardant could be employed for retardant drug release. The matrix tablet prepared by Abelmoschus esculentus mucilage as drug polymer ratio of 1:1 (F4 formulation) provide better zero order release kinetics compared to marketed tablet