Formulation development of moringa oleifera film coated tablets

Abstract

Introduction: Moringa oleifera is a small fast growing tree many of whose parts are consumed for both their nutritional and medicinal values worldwide. Different parts of the plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases have been presented either as bulk powders, granules or manually filled capsules because there are no reports of formulation studies to enable the production of quality conventional solid dosage forms. This study was therefore intended to formulate film coated tablets of Moringa oleifera leaves powder. Materials and Methods: Moringa oleifera leaf powder was obtained from Kate‟s organics, Nairobi, Kenya. Other excipients were obtained as a donation from Laboratory and Allied Ltd, Nairobi, Kenya. Four formulations (F1 – F4) in which the level of disintegrant and the choice and level of binder were varied were made. F1 contained 0.7 % gelatin and 7.3 % corn starch, F2 contained 3.6 % gelatin and 7.3 % corn starch, F3 contained 0.7 % PVP and 9.1 % corn starch and F4 contained 2.2 % PVP and 7.3 % corn starch (% w/w of the total tablet weight). The equipment used included tablet compression machine (Erweka, electric type, Germany), Disintegration Tester machine (Erweka ZT3, GmbH Heusenstamm, Germany), Friability tester machine (Erweka, Heusenstamm, type TA3R, Germany) and a coating pan (Gryphon class E, No_150445R, England). Results and Discussion: From preformulation studies, Moringa oleifera leaf powder had moisture loss on drying of 7.87 ± 2.915, granules of Moringa oleifera had Hausner‟s Ratio ranging from 1.16 (F3) to 1.18 (F4), Compressibility Index of 14.04 (F3) to 15.25 (F4) and angle of repose ranging from 37.0 ° (F1) to 37.7 ° (F4). Uncoated tablets of all formulations passed uniformity of weight test, hardness test and friability test. Only formulation F3 uncoated tablets passed disintegration test. Antimicrobial assay results of both M. oleifera leaf powder and the formulated tablets were comparable. Film coated tablets of only F3 formulation passed both uniformity of weight test and disintegration test. In conclusion, this study indicated that M. oleifera film coated tablets can be formulated with 0.7 % polyvinyl pyrolidine as binder and 9.1 % corn starch as disintegrant and further research to establish clinical data for treatment with Moringa leaf powder was recommended before scaling up of M. oleifera film coated tablets to commercial production can occur.