Effect of Extracted Microcrystalline Cellulose from Dracaenea arborea Stem on Aceclophenac Tablet Formulation

Micro crystalline cellulose (MCC) is a major derivative from the bio composite of natural materials such as D. arborea plant stem. It could be useful as a secondary binder and disintegrant in tablet formulation especially following direct compression technique anticipating it to provide high level of disintegration at low use level and utilizing dual mechanisms of wicking and swelling. Tablets of aceclofenac a BCS class II and non steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) which potently inhibits the cyclo oxygenase enzyme (COX-2) involved in prostaglandin synthesis was formulated by direct compression using MCC from D. arborea stem. Qualitative assessment of the plant extract was carried out and the presence of cellulose confirmed by the appearance of violet – blue coloration while the physicochemical and physicotechnical properties were comparatively evaluated with reference to avicel and corn starch. Three batches of aceclofenac tablets involving Batch A (D. arborea MCC), Batch B (Corn starch) and Batch C (Corn starch and D. arborea MCC in a 1:1 ratio), were implcated in the formulation. Physicochemical study of the MCC reveals a pH of 7.8, mean swelling index 1.14±0.05 ml and hydration capacity of 3.60±0.15 g while the pH of corn starch is 3.90 with swelling and hydration capacity at 5.09±0.03 ml and 8.26±0.01 g respectively. Quality control evaluation of resulting tablet was investigated and the wetting time of batch A tablets was 1.50, batch B 2.30 and batch C 1.80 with percentage moisture content (%) of 60.5, 56.56 and 57.8 and disintegration time (minutes) of 0.22±0.07, 0.35±0.051 and 1.60±0.286 respectively. The drug release profile of batch A, reveals an initial burst release within 10 minutes followed by gradual release while batch C had consistent drug release which was maintained although faster than that of batch A after 10 minutes but batch B had the least drug release rate.