Abstract

The aim of the study was to formulate metronidazole tablets using starch fromXanthosoma sagittifolium as binder and disintegrant in metronidazole tablets. Metronidazole tablets were produced by wet granulation method using X. sagittifoliumstarch as binder at concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20% w/w, and as disintegrant (5% w/w). The micromeritic properties of the granules were determined using the direct and indirect methods. The necessary official and non official tests were performed on the tablets to include uniformity of tablets weight, content of active ingredient, disintegration test, hardness, friability tests and in vitro drug release. Also, the phytochemical constituents of the starch were determined. The results show that the granules had a good flow and values obtained were within the specified limits for the production of good quality tablets. Deviations obtained from the tablet weight uniformity test were significantly (p< 0.05) below 5%. Tablets disintegration time ranged from 3.00 ± 0.08 min to 14.00 ± 0.10 min for M1 and M4 tablets formulated with 5 and 20% of X. sagittifolium starch respectively. The tablets hardness ranged from 7.20 ± 1.25 to 8.55 ± 1.17 kgf. In vitro release showed that M1 tablets had T₂₅, T_{50 ­}and T₉₀ % at 5, 13 and 23 min respectively, while M4 tablets had T₂₅, T_{50 ­}and T₉₀ %at 8, 18 min and were unable to release 90% of metronidazole at 30 min. Phytochemical analysis showed that the starch contained alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrate and steroids. Therefore, starch from X. sagittifolium could be used to formulate metronidazole tablets for improved oral bioavailability of metronidazole.

Key words: Xanthosoma sagittifolium starch, tablets binder and disintegrant, metronidazole.