Abstract

The objective of this study was to formulate Cymbopogon citratus leaves powder into tablets using both acacia and gelatin as binders at concentrations of 2, 4, 6 and 8% w/w, respectively. The tablets were evaluated using the necessary official and unofficial tests. The results showed that all the batches of tablets passed the uniformity of weight test. The hardness of the tablets was significantly affected by the type of binder and concentration used during formulation (P < 0.05). Gelatin had higher crushing strength values than acacia. Friability values for all the tablet formulations were below 1%. The disintegration time of tablets formulated with acacia ranged from 29.10 ± 0.13 to 208.00 ± 0.13 min for tablets formulated with 2 % and 8 % acacia respectively and 2.31 ± 0.27 min to 8.20 ± 0.24 min for tablets formulated with 2 and 8% gelatin. Phytochemical analysis of the powder from the plant leaves was carried out. The results obtained from micromeritic studies showed that the granules had good flowability. Phytochemical analysis showed that alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, reducing sugars, steroids, tannins, glycosides, proteins, flavonoids, resins, oils and terpenoids were present at different concentrations, while acid compounds were absent.  Therefore, C. citratus leaves tablets could be formulated by wet granulation using acacia or gelatin as binder.

Key words: Cymbopogon citratus, lemon grass, tablets, phytochemical analysis, micromeritic.