Evaluation of Release Modifying Potential of Artocarpus Heterophyllus (Jackfruit) Mucilage in the Formulation of Diclofenac Sodium Sustained Release Matrix Tablets

The study was aimed to evaluate the release modifying potential of mucilage extracted from the Artocarpus heterophyllus in the formulation of oral sustained release tablets of diclofenac sodium. Preformulation studies performed on isolated mucilage involved the determination of physicochemical properties as well as flow properties of the mucilage. Compatibility studies including FTIR spectral analysis and drug-excipients compatibility studies showed no signs of incompatibility between drug, isolated gums or mucilage’s and other excipients. Diclofenac sodium matrix tablet formulations were prepared by wet granulation method using different drug: mucilage ratios viz. 1:0.25, 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:2. The prepared formulations were evaluated for pre-compression parameters like angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, hausner’s index and carr’s index for granules while tablets were evaluated for various post-compression parameters like tablet thickness, hardness, weight variation, friability, content uniformity, disintegration time, swelling behaviour and in-vitro drug release study. Among all the formulations, AH-3 and AH-4 showed a slow and complete drug release of 99.21% and 98.16%, respectively, over the period of 12 hrs and thereby exhibited satisfactory sustained drug release phenomenon. All the formulations follow zero order kinetics indicating that the drug diffuses at a comparatively slower rate. Finally, it was concluded that, Artocarpus heterophyllus mucilage can be used as drug release modifier in a particular concentration range and serve as a good binding agent in formulating oral sustained release matrix tablets.