Evaluation of Suitability of Palmyra Palm Syrup and Kithul Syrup as Binding Agents in Tablet Formulation

Abstract

Background: Binders are used to impart cohesiveness to granules, for mechanical strength and drug releasing in drug delivery. Natural binders, being cost-effective, non-toxic, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly, are ideal as novel adhesives over synthetic binders. Objective: To investigate the possibility of using palmyra palm (Borassus flabellier Linn) syrup and kithul (Caryota urens) syrup as binders in tablet formulation Methods: The sap water obtained from the inflorescence of the Borassus flabellier Linn and Caryota urens was filtered and heated separately to concentrate to obtain palmyra palm syrup and kithul syrup. Frusemide tablets were made with maize starch paste, palmyra palm and kithul syrups as binders (27%, 22% and 23% w/w), using single punch tablet press by wet granulation process. Prepared tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration time, assay and dissolution according to British Pharmacopoeia 2020 and results were compared using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Tablets made with palmyra palm syrup and kithul syrup had pleasant aromas of respective syrups and were sunset yellow in color. All tablets passed the weight variation test with no statistical differences (p>0.05). The hardness of the tablets made with palmyra palm syrup (99.13 N), kithul syrup (120.1 N) were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to maize starch paste-employed tablets (57.06 N). The friability percentage of all tablets made with palmyra palm and kithul syrups was below 1%, with no statistical differences (p=0.133 and p=0.310). Tablets made with palmyra palm syrup, kithul syrup, and maize starch paste disintegrated within nine minutes (7.5, 7.2, and 8.9 min), and showed statistical significance compared to maize starch paste employed tablets (p=0.014 and p=0.044). The content of frusemide in tablets made with palmyra palm syrup, kithul syrup and maize starch paste were 101.31%, 101.32%, and 101.68%, respectively with no statistical significance compared to maize starch paste incorporated tablets (p=0.429 and p=0.849). All three types of tablets released over 85% of the drug within 40 minutes, meeting the dissolution test requirements. Conclusions: Palmyra palm syrup and kithul syrup demonstrated excellent binding properties within pharmacopeia standards similar to maize starch paste in formulating frusemide tablets.