FORMULATION OF METRONIDAZOLE MUCOADHESIVE TABLETS USING AZADIRACHTA INDICA GUM

Ajibade Opeyemi Ganiyat, Collins Ovenseri Airemwen*, Johnbull Aiwaguore Obarisiagbon, Catherine Dupe Soni-Osayande and Michael Uwumagbe Uhumwangho

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to formulate mucoadhesive tablets of metronidazole using HPMC and neem gum (NG). Neem gum was extracted from the stem bark of Azadirachta indica tree. Metronidazole granules were prepared by wet granulation technique with the extracted neem gum at varying concentrations of 25-50%w/w. The granules formulated were evaluated for micromeritic properties. The granules were then compressed to tablets at a compression pressure of 30 N/m2. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, bioadhesive strength, in vitro dissolution studies and release kinetics. Drug-excipients compatibility studies were also carried out using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. All formulated granules were free flowing with angle of repose between 25.1 - 30.6⁰ and Carr’s index of ≤ 11.2%. The granules were compressible with hardness of 6.4 - 8.2 kpa and friability of ≤ 0.81%, while the bioadhesive force was between 0.62 -1.95 N. Increase in concentration of the binder resulted in a corresponding increase in tablet hardness and bioadhesive strength and decrease in percentage friability. All batches fitted into the Higuchi model release kinetics. FTIR studies showed that the excipients and the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) were compatible. NG exhibited good mucoadhesive property and a synergistic mucoadhesive effect was observed with the addition of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC).

Keywords: Neem gum, mucoadhesion, metronidazole, mucosa.