ABSTRACT:
In the present study comparisons of natural and synthetic superdisintegrants were performed. Various parts of Plantago ovata such as seed powder, husk powder and isolated mucilage were prepared and used as superdisintegrants in different concentrations. Their disintegrating and physiochemical properties were evaluated and compared with synthetic superdisintegrant crospovidone. The Fast Dissolving Tablets (FDT) of promethazine theoclate (as model drug) was prepared by direct compression method using microcrystalline cellulose and sucrose as direct compressible vehicle. These tablets were evaluated for quality control tests like organoleptic characteristics, weight variation, hardness, friability, in- vitro and in-vivo disintegration time, in-vitro swelling time, drug content and dissolution behavior. Swelling index was also investigated with an aim to compare the swelling property of seed powder, husk powder, mucilage of Plantago ovata with crospovidone. Among all the superdisintegrants, Plantago ovata mucilage showed the highest swelling index. Hence, the present study revealed that this natural superdisintegrant (Plantago ovata mucilage) showed similar disintegrating property than the most widely used synthetic superdisintegrants in the formulations of FDT.