Studies of disintegrant properties of seed mucilage of Ocimum gratissimum

Dispersible tablets of Metformin Hydrochloride were prepared using Ocimum gratissimum mucilage powder and Ocimum gratissimum seed powder as disintegrants. Specifications for herbal raw materials and finished products were set according to the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products. Several formulations were prepared and evaluated for physical parameters such as thickness, hardness, friability, weight variation, drug content, and disintegration time and drug dissolution. The formulations were prepared with different proportions of Ocimum gratissimum mucilage powder and Ocimum gratissimum seed powder. The formulated tablets had good appearance and better drug release properties as compared to the marketed conventional tablets. The study revealed that Ocimum gratissimum mucilage powder and Ocimum gratissimum seed powder were effective as disintegrants in low concentrations (5%). The study further revealed a poor relation between the swelling index and disintegrating efficiency. Mucilage extracted from Ocimum gratissimum seeds was subjected to toxicity studies for its safety and preformulation studies for its suitability as a disintegrating agent. The mucilage extracted is devoid of toxicity. Studies indicated that the extracted mucilage is a good pharmaceutical adjuvant, specifically a disintegrating agent.