Thesis (M.Sc. in Pharm.)--Chulalongkorn University, 1996

Ispaghula husk (Plantago ovata Forsk.), the epidermis and the collapsed adjacent layers removed from dried ripe seeds, is reported to form viscous and adhesive mucilage. In this study, it was evaluated for binding properties in tablet preparation as comparing with commonly used binders such as PVP K30,HPC type L, gelatin, corn starch and Starch 1500®. Two methods were studies. For solution incorporation, the binders were employed at 0.5, 1 and 2% w/w of paracetamol and nicotinamide tablets. In the case of dry incorporation method, the amount of binder used were 1, 2 and 4% w/w. The physical properties of granules (such as granule size, size distribution, flowability and granule friability) and tablets (such as hardness, friability, disintegration, dissolution and binder index) were evaluated for their binding efficacy. According to the results of binder properties superior to corn starch and Starch 1500® but inferior to PVP K30, HPC type L, gelatin. In the case of dry incorporation method, Ispaghula husk gave binding properties superior to Starch 1500® (except for nicotinamide at binder concentration 4% w/w, Starch 1500® was better) but inferior to PVP K30. From this study, suitable concentration of Ispaghula husk used as the effective binding agent for both methods with both drugs was 2% w/w. In addition, in the case of paracetamol granules and tablets, it was found that solution incorporation method produced binder index higher than dry incorporation method. Furthermore, nicotinamide granules and tablets prepared by both methods gave comparable results