Exploring the synergistic effect in polyherbal chewable antacid tablets: formulation and evaluation study

Abstract

Abstract Polyherbal chewable tablets of Phyllanthus emblica and Glycyrrhiza glabra were developed with the objective to formulate an effective, safe and convenient dosage form for acid-related disorders. A standard calibration curve was constructed for Polyherbal extracts through UV-Spectrophotometry, achieving an absorbance maximum at 275 nm. Compatibility between the drug and excipients was examined through FTIR studies. Various pre-compression parameters, like bulk density, tapped density, compressibility index, Hausner’s ratio and angle of repose, were assessed for the powder blend. The tablets were evaluated for post-compression parameters, such as thickness, hardness, friability, and weight variation and disintegration time. The drug release study was conducted in vitro. The acid-neutralizing capacity of the formulated batches was compared with marketed formulations. The calibration curve showed a high correlation coefficient (r2=0.9972), suggesting accuracy and reliability. FTIR analysis confirmed the compatibility between the drug and excipients. Pre-compression studies revealed an acceptable range for all parameters, indicating good flow properties. For instance, Carr’s Index for all batches varied from 14.31% to 24.41%, and the angle of repose ranged from 33.7 to 35.21 degrees. Post-compression parameters were within the standard limits with hardness between 4.9 to 6.1 kg/cm2 and friability less than 1% for all batches. In vitro drug release showed a gradual increase over time with PF9 achieving 98.63% release at 60 min. The acid-neutralization capacity was highest for the combined extract at 27.83±0.34 mEq/g and PF9 batch at 28.12±0.43 mEq/g, demonstrating their effectiveness in neutralizing acid. The study successfully formulated a Polyherbal chewable tablet with optimized pre and post-compression parameters. The tablet exhibited promising in vitro drug release and an efficient acid-neutralizing capacity. It holds potential as an effective treatment option for acid-related disorders.