FORMULATION EVALUATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF METFORMIN HCl MATRIX TABLET USING NATURAL POLYMER

Objectives: The main objective was to find out a suitable and effective natural release retardant, which can be used in matrix tablet preparation along with synthetic excipients. Methods: Tamarind seed polysaccharides (TSP) were isolated from Tamarindus indica by hot extraction method followed by freeze-drying and yield was found to be 16.85%. Microbial studies confirmed that TSP doesn't support microbial growth. Matrix tablet of Metformin HCl was prepared by using a wet granulation method with the help of TSP. Drug excipients compatibility was checked with the help of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). At last, the release was compared with the marketed formulation. Results: The drug content of all the formulations ranged from 96.55% to 98.54%. Formulation F7 showed release up to 12 h. It was observed that as per increase in the polymer concentration, the release rate also increased. F6 formulation was found to be the optimized formulation. The F6 and marketed both the formulation followed the Higuchi model as n values came within the range of 0.5-1.00.