Studies on disintegrant action of Leucaena leucocephala seed gum in ibuprofen tablet and its mechanism

Abstract

Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) seed gum (LSG) was evaluated for disintegrant action in lactose (soluble) based tablets containing ibuprofen, a relatively insoluble drug. The properties of tablets evaluated include weight uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration time and in vitro dissolution (k, T₅₀, A₃₀). LSG, at low concentration level (2% w/w), can be used as a disintegrant in tablet dosage form containing water-insoluble drug. In contrast to maize starch, LSG swells rapidly when brought in the contact with water, while preventing the liquid uptake in cylindrical column of powder. This presumably suggests that initial swelling of LSG particles generates enough pressure to elicit disintegration action in the tablet before further liquid uptake results in formation of mucilaginous, gel like coherent mass, which hinders further movement of water into the tablet matrix.