International Journal of Pharmacy Research and Technology

2011, Volume 1, Issue 1, 12-16.

ISSN xxxx-xxxx

Research article
A Preliminary Investigation of Moringa Oleifera Lam Gum
As a Pharmaceutical Excipient
Dhiren P Shah*1, Vineet C Jain1, Hitesh P Dalvadi1, Vinod D Ramani1,
Kajal G Patel1, Mahesh G Saralai1, Girish K Jani2
1
C K Pithawalla Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, Via Magdalla Port,
Nr. Malvan Mandir, Dumas Road, Gavior Gam, Surat – 395 007.,
2
S S R College of Pharmacy, Silvassa - Sayli Road, Silvassa, U T of D & NH – 396 230.
*
Corresponding author: E-mail: dhirenpshah1@gmail.com
Received: 18/07/2011, Revised: 18/08/2011, Accepted: 30/08/2011

ABSTRACT
Mother nature has gifted India with great variety of flora and fauna. Since centuries man has made an effective use of
material from natural origins in the medical & pharmaceutical field. In present study, Moringa oleifera Lam., was explored
as a pharmaceutical excipient. Various physico-chemical properties like particle size, solubility, swelling ratio, flow property
and compressibility were measured and compared with other materials also. Aceclofenac tablets containing Moringa were
prepared and evaluated for various quality control parameters like hardness, friability, wetting time and disintegration time.
Drug releases from Aceclofenac tablets were performed. Finally, stability study of optimized batch was carried out. It was
observed that Moringa gum had excellent swelling ratio, flow property and compressibility. Batch F3 was considered as
optimized batch due to lesser disintegration time, hardness & friability are within the limit. Tablets are stable after stability
study.

KEY WORDS: Aceclofenac, Moringa oleifera Lam, Natural Excipient.

INTRODUCTION
Additives play an important role in pharmaceutical
preparations like tablet, lotions, suspensions, syrups and
ointments. Recent trends towards the use of the natural and
nontoxic products which demand the replacement of syn-
thetic excipients with natural ones. Natural gums provide
appropriate solution to the current problem. There are sev-
eral reports about the successful use of hydrophilic poly-
mers derived from plant and other sources in pharmaceuti-
cal preparations [1].
Recent decades have seen tremendous strides in the
designing of novel dosage forms. But tablets still remain an
attractive option for pharmaceutical scientists and clinicians
because they offer advantages of accurate unit-dosing, bet-
ter patient compliance, ease of large-scale manufacturing,
and Low production cost. The formulation of a tablet in-
volves combining the active ingredient, the “drug,” with
pharmacologically inactive ingredients called “excipients.
Binding agents are used in granulation to provide proper
strength to the granules, in order to keep the tablet intact
after compression. Plant gums and mucilage widely have
been used in various industries like paper, textile, food, ink,
cosmetics, petroleum and frequently used in pharmaceuti-
cals as thickening, binding, emulsifying, suspending, stabi-
lizing agents and coating materials in micro encapsulation
[2-3].
In view of the easy availability of the plant, the ex-
udates from the stem of the tree. The stem of the tree ex-
udes a gum which is initially white in colour but changes to
reddish brown to brownish black on exposure. Moringa
oleifera Lam belongs to family Moringaceae. It is also
know as Drumstick in English, Saragvo in Gujarati, Soanj-
na in Hindi, Sajna in Bengali, Nugge in Kannada, Sigru in
Malyalam, Shevga in Marathi, Shobhanjana in Sanskrit and
Munaga in Telugu. It is sparingly soluble in water but
swells in contact with water giving a highly viscous solu-
tion. It contains alkoloids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proan-
thocyanidins and cinnamates. It is polyuronide consisting of
arabinose, galactose and glucoronic acid in the proportion
of 10:7:2, rhamnose is present in traces. Moringa oleifera
Lam was investigated for its application as a binder and
release retardant in tablet formulation. It is used as antipy-
retic, anthelmintic and antidiahorrheal, rhueumatism and
other diseases. Moringa oleifera is a small genus of quick
growing tree distributed in India. [4-6].
In view of importance of binders in pharmaceuticals
for the manufacture of tablets and capsules, gum extracted
from the bark of Moringa Oleifera gum was undertaken to
evaluate its binding properties through assessment of vari-
ous parameters essential for pharmaceutical formulation [7-
11].
In present study, attempt was made to explore Moringa
gum as a pharmaceutical excipient. Various physico-
chemical properties like particle size, solubility, swelling
ratio, flow property and compressibility were measured and
compared with other materials also. Aceclofenac tablets
containing Moringa were prepared and evaluated for vari-
ous quality control parameters like hardness, friability,
wetting time and disintegration time. Drug releases from
Aceclofenac tablets were performed. Finally, stability study
of optimized batch was carried out.
MATERIAL & METHODS
Aceclofenac was received as generous gift from Tor-
rent Pharmaceutical Ltd. Ahmedabad. Hydropropyl methyl
cellulose (HPMC) was received as gift sample from Color-
con India. Moringa Oleifera gum was procured from local
market, Surat. Lactose IP and Talc IP were used as re-
ceived. All other solvents and chemicals were of AR grade.

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 Shah et al International Journal of Pharmacy Research and Technology 2011 1(1) 12-16
Deionized double distilled water was used throughout the
study.
Particle size
Particle size of dried mucilage was performed by mi-
croscopic method and study was carried out in triplicate.
Loss on drying
Loss on drying was determined on appropriate quanti-
ty of dried mucilage at 1050C for 2 hr in Hot air oven [12].
Viscosity
Rheological studies of dried mucilage was carried out
using varying concentration of solution (0.1 to 0.5% w/v)
were prepared in distilled water. The viscosity was meas-
ured using Ostwald viscometer and compared with that of
sodium CMC solution (0.1 to 0.5% w/v).
Swelling Ratio
The study was carried out in 100mL stopper graduated
cylinder. The initial bulk volume of 1g dried mucilage was
noted and then water added in sufficient quantity to yield
100 mL uniform dispersion. The sediment volume of the
swollen mass was noted after 24 hr storage at room temper-
ature. The edge of the swelled sediments clearly differen-
tiated from the water phase. The swelling ratio was calcu-
lated by taking the ratio of the swollen volume to the initial
bulk volume. Swelling ratio was carried out in distilled
water, HCl buffer (0.1 N HCl) and phosphate buffer (pH
6.8). It was carried out in triplicate [13].
Bulk and Tapped density
A pre-weighed, pre-sieved quantity of dried mucilage
was poured into a graduated cylinder and the volume rec-
orded. The cylinder was then tapped until powder bed vo-
lume reached a minimum value and the tapped volume
recorded. The bulk and tapped densities were calculated
[14].
Carr’s index and Hausner ratio
Carr’s Index and hausner ratio was calculated by the
following formula [15-16].
Angle of repose
The angle of repose (Ф) was determined using the
fixed height funnel method and calculated as follows:
(5)
Where, h is height of powder heap and r is radius of
powder heap. Comparisons were made between dried muci-
lage, guar gum and ispaghula husk.
Preparation of Fast dissolving Aceclofenac tablets
Aceclofenac and all other ingredient pass through the
sieve no. 60. Aceclofenac, excipient and superdisintegrant
are mixed in mortar and mix it well by pestle. To the above
mixture talc was added, mix it well. The tablets were pre-
pared by direct compression on a rotary tablet press (Model
Rimek-II, Karnavati Engg., Ahmedabad), fitted with con-
cave punches of 9 mm diameter. The turret was rotated at a
fixed speed of 30 rpm [17]. The compositions of various
batches are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Formulation of Aceclofenac Tablet containing
Moring gum.
Ingredients (mg) Batch Batch Batch
F1 F2 F3
Aceclofenac 100 100 100
Moringa Gum Powder 15 20 25
Lactose 122.5 117.5 112.5
HPMC (1%) q.s. q.s. q.s.
Talc 12.5 12.5 12.5
Total 250 250 250
Hardness and Friability test
Hardness was measured by Monsanto Hardness Tester.
Friability was evaluated as the percentage weight loss of 20
tablets tumbled in a friabilator for 4 min at 25 rpm. The
tablets were de-dusted, and the loss in weight caused by
fracture or abrasion was recorded as percentage friability.
Disintegration time
The time required for disintegration of 6 tablets per
batch was carried out in USP Disintegration Test Apparatus
(Model ED2L, Electrolab, Mumbai, India) containing 900
mL phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) at 37+0.5 0C. The mean DT
was calculated.
Wetting time
A piece of tissue paper folded twice was kept in a
culture dish (internal diameter 5.5 cm) containing ~6 mL of
purified water. A tablet having a small amount of amaranth
powder on the upper surface was placed on the tissue paper.
The time required to develop a red color on upper surface
of the tablet was recorded as the wetting time [18].
Dissolution Rate Study
The drug release study was carried out using USP
XXIII paddle type dissolution test apparatus (Model TDL-
08, Electrolab, Mumbai) at 37±0.50C and at 50 rpm using
900mL Phosphate Buffer (pH 6.8) as dissolution medium
(n=5). Five milliliters sample solution was withdrawn at
predetermined time intervals, filtered through a 0.45 micron
membrane filter, diluted suitably, and analyzed spectropho-
tometrically at 276nm using a Shimazdu-1700 UV-Visible
double beam spectrophotometer [19]. Equal amounts of
fresh dissolution medium were replaced immediately after
withdrawal of a test sample. The percentage drug dissolved
at different time intervals was calculated using regression
equation generated from the standard curve.
Stability Study
To study the effect of storage on DT and hardness,
stability study of best formulation (Batch F3) was carried
out at 400C and 75% RH in a humidity oven. Samples were
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 Shah et al International Journal of Pharmacy Research and Technology 2011 1(1) 12-16

withdrawn after three-month interval and were evaluated pressibility data shows that MGG is suitable as directly
for change in DT and hardness. compression excipient. Therefore, granulation is recom-
mended to improve flow. So, moringa gum can be used as
RESULT & DISCUSSION directly compressible excipient for preparation tablet.
Oral route of drug administration is perhaps the most
appealing route for the delivery of drugs. Of the various Table 3. Results of physico-chemical properties of Mo-
dosage forms administered orally, the tablet is one of the ringa gum.
most preferred dosage forms because of its ease of manu- Parameters Moringa Guar Isphagula
facturing, convenience in administration, accurate dosing, Powder Gum Husk
stability compared with oral liquids, and because it is more Angle of Re- 27.83 ± 42.27 ± 38.59 ± 1.75
tamperproof than capsules. The bioavailability of drug is pose (Φ) 0.68 1.85
dependent on in vivo disintegration, dissolution, and vari- Mean ± S.D.
ous physiological factors. In recent years, scientists have (n=3)
focused their attention on the formulation of quickly disin- Bulk Density 0.66 ± 0.06 0.6 ± 0.75 ± 0.05
tegrating tablets. The task of developing rapidly disintegrat- (gm/ml) 0.04
ing tablets is accomplished by using a suitable diluents and Mean ± S.D.
superdisintegrant. (n=3)
Physicochemical parameters of moringa gum are Tapped Density 0.83 ± 0.07 0.88 ± 0.88 ± 0.06
shown in Table 2. It contains average particle size of 30 ± (gm/ml) 0.06
1.15µg. Loss on drying was found 11.25 ± 0.50, which Mean ± S.D.
indicate that gum had such free moisture to react. From the (n=3)
data of pH, it was found neutral which indicate that there Carr’s Index 20.00 31.81 14.71
will be no interaction due to change in pH.
Hausner Ratio 1.25 1.46 1.17
Table 2. Results of Physcio-chemical Properties of Mo-
ringa Gum Powder.
Physicochemical Parameters Results Rheological data of moringa gum powder are shown in
Average Particle Size (µg) Table 4. There was a comparison between natural and syn-
30 ± 1.15
Mean ± S.D. (n=3) thetic gum (sodium CMC). Viscosity was performed at
Loss on drying (%) different concentration. It was observed that as the concen-
11.25 ± 0.50
Mean ± S.D. (n=3) tration of gum increases there was increases in viscosity. It
Slightly soluble in was also observed that moringa gum has less viscosity as
Solubility compared to sodium CMC at different concentration level.
water
Specific gravity (0.5%w/v) (gm/ml) Table 4. Rheological data of Moringa gum and sodium
0.988 ± .044
Mean ± S.D. (n=3) CMC.
pH (0.5%w/v) Neutral
Viscosity (cps)
Mean ± S.D. , (n=3)
Density (0.5%w/v) (gm/ml) Concentration
0.996 ± 0.05 (% w/v)
Mean ± S.D. (n=3) Moringa
Sodium CMC
Gum
It shows that gum has excellent swelling ratio in all 1.57 ±
0.1 2.79 ± 0.13
distilled water (14.5 ± 0.95) as compared to Hcl buffer (5.0 0.02
± 0.45) and phosphate buffer (5.6 ± 0.55). It indicates that 2.46 ±
0.2 4.19 ± 0.27
gum is ionic in nature and due to presence of ions swelling 0.05
ratio remains lower as compared to distilled water. 3.43 ±
0.3 5.48 ± 0.28
Results of flow property and compressibility are 0.55
shown in Table 3. Flow properties of the powder can be 4.81 ±
0.4 6.66 ± 0.33
judged from the angle of repose. The powder flow depends 0.65
on 3 general areas: (1) the physical properties of the particle 9.84 ±
0.5 12.15 ± 0.45
(e.g., shape, size, compressibility), (2) the bulk powder 1.15
properties (e.g., size distribution, compaction), and (3) the
processing environment (e.g., storage, humidity) [20]. An- Results of quality control parameters of Aceclofenac
gle of repose, hausner ratio, flow rate through an orifice, tablet containing moringa gum are shown in Table 5. Hard-
and shear cell methods are included in the USP [21]. Flow ness and friability of all three batches are satisfactory and
property & compressibility of moringa gum was compared within limit. It was observed that as the concentration of
with other natural excipient guar gum & Ispaghula husk. moringa gum increases there was decreases in wetting time.
The angle of repose of moringa powder, guar gum and is- It was observed that as the concentration of moringa gum
phagula husk was 27.83 ± 0.68, 42.27 ± 1.85 and 38.59 ± increases there was decrease in disintegration time. Batch
1.75, respectively. The results reveal that moringa exhibited F3 was considered as optimized batch due to lesser disinte-
passable, while guar gum and isphagula husk exhibit poor gration time. It can be concluded that moringa gum can be
flow, respectively. Compressibility data of moringa are used as disintegrating agent for tablet formulation [22-25].
superior to other natural excipient. Flow property and com-

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 Shah et al International Journal of Pharmacy Research and Technology 2011 1(1) 12-16

Table 5. Results of Quality Control Parameters of Acec- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

lofenac Tablets Containing Moringa Gum. Authors are grateful to Principal, C K Pithawalla Insti-
Batches Hardness Friability Wetting Disinte- tute of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, Surat, for
(Kg/cm2) (%) Time gration providing facilities for the above-mentioned study.
Mean ± Mean ± (sec) Time (sec)
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