Evaluation of a New Tablet Binder - Chlorophytum tuberosum

A preliminary study was carried out for establishing powdered tubers Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker (Liliaceae) as a tablet binder. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation method using Paracetamol as a drug, Bentonite as a diluent and 3.5% talc as a glidant. A concentration of 0.25% w/w, 0.5% w/w, 0.75% w/w and 1% w/w of the binder were introduced in different formulations. Various physicochemical parameters like thickness, friability, weight variation, hardness, disintegration time, etc. on the tablets prepared with different concentrations of Chlorophytum tuberosum were determined. Dissolution study was carried out for different tablets and comparison was done with the prepared tablets using 5% starch paste as standard binder. The tubers of Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker (Liliaceae) showed the presence of carbohydrate in it which helped it to act as a binding agent. Amongst the various formulations, the tablets prepared with 0.5% of the above binder showed excellent physicochemical parameters and better drug release pattern. No significant interaction with binder was found in FTIR study. The aim of this study was to suggest that, the tubers of Chlorophytum tuberosum can be used as a tablet binder in a very less concentration and can give an economic means for tablet formulation in Pharmaceutical Industries.