Acta Pharm. 49 (1999) 189-199

Formulation studies on the hot water leaf extract of Ficus sur (Moraceae): Compaction characteristics and effect of magnesium stearate on granule and tablet properties

O. O. KUNLE,^1* R. N. NASIPURI,¹ M. O. OYEWUMI,¹ J. E. OJILE,² and C. N. WAMBEBE¹

¹National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, P.M.B 21, Abuja, Nigeria
²Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, A.B.U., Zaria, Nigeria

The hot water extract of the leaves of Ficus sur (Moraceae), a saprophytic plant widely available in most parts of Africa and used in GIT disorders, was formulated into tablets using the wet granulation method of massing and screening. The compaction behaviour of the extract with lactose as diluent was studied using the Heckel equation. The effect of magnesium stearate as lubricant on the properties of the granules and tablets was also studied. The results showed that the Heckel equation was useful in explaining the compaction characteristics. The particle size of the granulates was also useful in explaining some of the observations. Lubricant treatment was found to increase granule flow whereas tablet physical strength and drug release were reduced. The optimal magnesium stearate concentration was found to be around 0.2%.

Keywords: Ficus sur (Moraceae), leaf extract, compaction behaviour, Heckel equation, magnesium stearate, granules, tablets