Natural Polymer : Rate Retarding Effect of Ispaghula Husk

In recent years, in association with progress and innovation in the field of pharmaceutical technology, there has been an increasing effort to develop sustained release dosage forms for many drugs due to its advantages in safety and efficacy over immediate release drug products. The intent of this research was to design matrix tablets of Metformin hydrochoride using Ispaghula husk powder and to study its release retardant activity. Natural materials have advantages over synthetic ones since they are chemically inert, nontoxic, inexpensive, biodegradable and widely available. Tablets were prepared using wet granulation technique with increasing concentration of Ispaghula husk powder to the drug. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies were performed and the surface morphology and particle shape was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The drug release patterns were explained in different kinetic models and found better release compared to marketed products. From the study It is evident that Ispaghula husk powder can be used as a natural matrix forming polymer for preparing sustained release matrix tablets.