Onyechi J.O., Chime S.A., Onyishi I.V., Brown S.A., Eleigwe P.O., Onunkwo G.C.
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Onyechi, J.O., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Chime, S.A., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Onyishi, I.V., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Brown, S.A., Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Eleigwe, P.O., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria; Onunkwo, G.C., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria
In view of the widespread use of Allium sativum (garlic) in the treatment of diseases, there is an important need for standardization and quality control in order to enhance their efficacy and improve patient compliance. The aim of the study was to formulate Allium sativum tablets and to evaluate the properties of the tablets. Garlic tablets were prepared by wet granulation using acacia, gelatin and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC) as binders at concentrations of 2, 4, 6 and 8 % w/w. The tablets were evaluated using both official and non official tests. Also the phytochemical constituents of garlic were studied. The results showed that tablets weight ranged from 301.20 ± 0.40 to 312.40 ± 2.11 mg. The crushing strength of the tablets was affected by the binder type and concentration used. The order of tablets hardness in increasing order is: SCMC > acacia > gelatin. Increase in binder concentration significantly caused an increase in the crushing strength of the tablets (p< 0.05). The tablets also, exhibited percentage friability range between 0.9 to 1.4 %. Garlic tablets formulated with acacia significantly (p< 0.05) exhibited the fastest disintegration time of all the batches. The order of tablets performance in terms of disintegration time is acacia > gelatin > SCMC. The results of some phytochemical constituents of Allium sativum showed that Allium sativum extract contains alkaloids, saponin, flavonoids, carbohydrates and proteins. Therefore, garlic tablets could be formulated by wet granulation using acacia, gelatin or SCMC in order to standardize the formulation.