Collins O Airemwen
,
Michael U Uhumwangho,
Gift E Ofolo
For correspondence:- Collins Airemwen Email: collins.airemwen@uniben.edu Tel: +234 8133737933
Published: 31 December 2017
Citation: Airemwen CO, Uhumwangho MU, Ofolo GE. Formulation of sustained release matrix tablets of metronidazole using sintering technique. J Sci Pract Pharm 2017; 4(1):152-160 doi: 10.47227/jsppharm.v4i1.2
© 2017 The author(s).
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Purpose: The study was conducted to formulate and evaluate controlled release metronidazole matrix tablets by thermal sintering using Irvingia gabonesis (IG) gum as binder.
Methods: Metronidazole granules were prepared by wet granulation technique using 10 %w/w each of the extracted IG and tragacanth gums and the prepared granules were evaluated for micromeritic properties. The granules were compressed into tablets and some of the prepared tablets were subjected to thermal sintering at 50 and 60 ºC for 1, 3 and 5 h. Both the sintered and unsintered tablets were evaluated for physicotechnical properties.
Results: The results revealed that the prepared metronidazole granules were free flowing with angles of repose of ≤ 28º and Carr’s indices ≤ 15 %. An increase in tablet hardness occurred with increase in sintering temperature and time while the percentage friability decreased. The in-vitro dissolution profile of the prepared controlled release matrix tablet of metronidazole showed that the optimum drug retardation occurred in tablets sintered at 60 ºC for 5 h.
Conclusion: The study has revealed that IG gum at a concentration of 10%w/w possesses good binding properties and can be utilized in the formulation of controlled release matrix tablets of metronidazole by thermal sintering.
