Formulation development and evaluation of Silybum marianum tablets

Abstract

Abstract In popular medicine Silybum marianum is used as a hepatoprotective agent. Silymarin is the major constituent. The present work deals with the formulation and evaluation of S. marianum tablets from ethanolic extract by direct compression. The ethanolic extract was obtained from seeds by soxhlet extraction. Two pharmaceutical formulations were prepared using fluid extract as an active principle, and Aeroperl® 300 Pharma as a carrier. In order to improve flow ability and compressibility, co-processed excipients MicroceLac® 100 and FlowLac® 90 were employed. Pre-compression and post-compression parameters were evaluated according to USP 34-NF 29. Besides, silymarin was determined by NMR spectral data. Both formulations showed excellent rheological properties and the best biopharmaceutical parameters were observed in F2 (S. marianum ethanolic extract, aeroperl® 300 Pharma, flowLac® 90, glycolate starch and magnesium stearate) in terms of the friability (0.82 %) and the disintegration time (8.05 min).