Formulation and Evaluation of Tablets Containing Fenugreek Extract Using Sodium Starch Glycolate as Super Disintegrant

The present work is aimed to formulate the tablets containing fenugreek extract as drug by wet granulation method. Further the effect of Sodium Starch Glycolate as super disintegrant on disintegration and drug release was studied. Fenugreek extract contains mucilage which retards the disintegration of tablets and hence shows slower drug release. Hence in order to improve disintegration and thereby in vitro drug release, Sodium Starch Glycolate was used as super disintegrant.

Tablet formulations were prepared without the SSG (Conventional-F1) and also with sodium starch glycolate (F2-F4) by wet granulation method. Assessment of flow properties of granules, physicochemical characterization of tablet formulations was carried out. Fenugreek is widely used for its antidiabetic activity which is attributed to mainly to the presence of an alkaloid Trigonelline. Hence in vitro release study of trigonelline was carried out which showed that the percentage release from F1 and F2 was found to be 58.12±4.49 and 99.08±0.01 respectively after 6 hrs. This study concludes that tablet formulation of fenugreek seed extracts with super disintegrants will be more desirable, advantageous and therapeutically more beneficial than incorporating the direct plant materials for the treatment of diabetes for faster onset of action.