Arabinoxylan from Plantago ovate (Husk) a Novel Binder and Superdisintegrant

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the binding and disintegrating properties of
arabinoxylan isolated from Ispaghula (Plantago ovata) husk. Atenolol and atorvastatin orodispersible tablet F1, F2
and F3 were prepared by direct compression method using arabinoxylan (12, 9, 6) mg as superdisintegrant, and F4
and F5 containing 12 mg Ispaghula husk and 12 mg sodium starch glycolate, respectively. Metformin tablets were
prepared by wet granulation method F1 containing starch as binder, F2 containing arabinoxylan as binder and F3
containing arabinoxylan as binder and as superdisintegrant. Prepared tablets were evaluated for precompression
parameters such as compatibility studies, bulk density, tapped density, angle of repose, Hausners ratio and Cars index
and post compression parameters such as weight variation, hardness, thickness, diameter, wetting time, water
absorption ratio disintegration time drug release and moisture uptake studies. Attempts were done to trace the
possible disintegrant mechanism of arabinoxylan. FTIR spectra of physical blend of atenolol, atorvastatin, metformin
with arabinoxylan confirmed the compatibility of excepient with formulation ingredients. All the formulations of
atenolol, atorvastatin satisfied the limits of redispersion with a dispersion time of less than 60 sec. F1 showed
minimum disintegration time 4 sec providing the evidence of arabinoxylan an excellent superdisintegrant when
compared with F4 containing Ispaghula husk with disintegration time 30 sec and F5 contains sodium starch glycolate
having disintegration time of 35 sec. Minimum wetting time of 17 sec and high water absorption ratio of F1
formulation confirmed the arabinoxylan as swelling disintegrant. The results of metformin tablet indicate that
arabinoxylan could be useful to produce tablets with desired characteristics for specific purposes, and could be used
as an alternative substitute binder and superdisintegrant in pharmaceutical industries. These studies provide a strong
evidence for usefulness of arabinoxylan as binder and superdisintegrant and a good alternative to natural and
synthetic superdisintegrant.