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EVALUATION OF ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE

VERA) GUM AS A BINDER IN TABLET
FORMULATIONS
ARTICLE DECEMBER 2010

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Chinekwu Oreh
University of Port Harcourt
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Scientia Africana, Vol. 9 (No.2), December, 2010, pp 119-125
Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt. Printed in Nigeria.

ISSN 1118 - 1931

EVALUATION OF ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GUM AS A

BINDER IN TABLET FORMULATIONS
*Okorie O1 ; Oreh N.C.2
1

Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology,

University of Port Harcourt , Nigeria
2

Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology,

University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

*Corresponding author:
Received: 4.11.09
Accepted: 25.3.10

ABSTRACT
A study was carried out to investigate the possibility of extracting dry aloe gum from the leaves of Aloe
barbadensis and using it as a binding agent in metronidazole tablets. The binding properties of the gum
extracted were investigated in lactose based metronidazole tablet formulations at different binder
concentrations of 1%w/w, 2%w/w, 4%w/w. Physical properties used as assessment parameters were
uniformity of weight, hardness, friability, disintegration time and in vitro dissolution rate. The results got
were compared to those got from metronidazole tablet formulations in which acacia gum and sodium
carboxymethylcellulose, (NaCMC) a semi synthetic binder; was used as binders at equivalent
concentrations. The results of the study showed that aloe vera gum produced tablets with lower
disintegration time and dissolution rate when compared to Na CMC and acacia gum and all the
parameters had values within stipulated ranges. Increased binding concentration also increased tablet
hardness and disintegration time. In conclusion, aloe gum has good tablet binding properties and could
be employed as a substitute for more expensive tablet binders in fast release tablets.

Keywords: Aloe barbadensis, binders, tablets.

INTRODUCTION
Binders are pharmaceutical excipients that are
commonly employed in tablet formulations to
impact cohesion on the powder mix and hence
generally improve the flow properties of the
granules1,2,3. They modify the cohesive properties
of the granules by promoting the formation of
strong cohesive bonds between particles4. They
have been used as solutions and in dry forms
depending on other ingredients in the formulation
and the method of preparation5.
Gums are mainly long chain, straight or
branched chain polysaccharides that contain
hydroxyl groups that bond to water molecules6. A
number of plant gums/ hydrocolloids have been
used as binding agents, suspending or emulsifying
agents in both solid and liquid dosage forms7,8.

These gums are generally non toxic and widely

available hence the continued interest 9.
Aloe gum is the yellow juice exudates produced
from most aloe varieties10. The bulk of research
done on aloe has been on its medicinal properties
and it has many of such properties. Its medicinal
properties include, wound healing, purgative,
immunostimulation, anti inflammatory and
promotion of radiation damage repair11,12,13. The
primary components of aloe are aloin, barbaloin,
isobarbaloin, aloe emodin and resins. It also
contains aloetic acid, galactouronic acid, 120
glucosamine,
monosaccharides
and
polysaccharides11.
There is a prevailing need to develop cheaper and
easily accessible tablet excipients especially in
developing countries in order to reduce the cost of

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Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt. Printed in Nigeria.

production of tablets. The basis of this research is

therefore, to explore the possibility of using aloe
vera gum as a tablet excipient since it is easily
cultivatable and readily available.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials
Metronidazole powder, lactose, magnesium
stearate (Merck), corn starch (May and Baker),
acacia, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (BDH,
Poole, England) aloe gum (sourced locally),
distilled water, diethyl ether and hydrochloric acid
(Fisher Scientific Company, USA), End runner
mill (Erweka), Hot air oven (Erweka).
Extraction of Aloe Gum
Fresh leaves of Aloe barbadensis were harvested
and properly identified. The inner mucilage was
obtained by cutting open the leaves and then
homogenized. Excess water was removed through
straining and the resulting slake was soaked in
diethyl ether to precipitate the gum. The gum was
spread to allow the evaporation of the diethyl
ether and then finally dried for two hours using an
oven at 40oC. The dried gum was milled with end
runner mill and finally passed through 55mm
sieve (Turgens &Co West Germany).
Formulation of Metronidazole Tablets
Three batches each of tablets containing 200mg
metronidazole were prepared with binder
concentration of 1%, 2% and 4% respectively of
the three binders namely aloe gum, acacia and
sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na CMC).
Maize starch at 10% was used as the disintegrant
while magnesium stearate 1% was used as the
lubricant. Wet granulation method was used in the
formulation of the tablets.

Granulation of metronidazole powder

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Calculation was made for 100 tablets in each

batch. In each case, metronidazole powder, starch
and lactose were triturated together in a mortar
using pestle (Gallenkemp, England) to form a
homogenous mixture. Weighed quantity of each
binder for 1%w/w, 2%w/w and 5%w/w
concentration was mixed with 8ml of water to
form a mucilage and then added to the powder
mix to obtain a damp coherent mass. The damp
mass was sieved with 1.7mm sieve and dried at
50oC in an oven for one hour. The dried granular
mass was passed through a 1.0mm sieve to obtain
uniform sized granules. The different batches of
the granules were then mixed with calculated
equal quantities of magnesium stearate using a
mixing bottle and then compressed into tablets
under constant pressure with a single punch (F3
Manesty type, England) tabletting machine. The
punch size and volume of fill were carefully
adjusted to give the required tablet size and
weight.
Evaluation of Tablets
Hardness Test.
Ten tablets were selected randomly from each
batch for this test. Erweka portable hardness tester
was used. The tablet was placed between the
spindle and the anvil of the tester 100 1000 and
the calibrated length was adjusted to zero. The
knob was screwed to apply a diametric force and
the point at which the tablet broke was recorded
Kgf units. The mean values were calculated and
also the other statistical measures such as standard
deviation, variation and coefficient of variation
were also calculated.
Friability Test
Ten tablets were weighed together in a weighing
balance and recorded. These tablets were placed
in a friabilator (Gallenkamp, England) and rotated
for 4 minutes at 25rpm. The tablets were
collected, dusted and re-weighed.

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Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt. Printed in Nigeria.

The percentage loss in weight was then calculated

for each batch.
Uniformity of Weight Test
Twenty tablets from each batch was randomly
selected, weighed together and then individually
in a torsion balance. The mean, standard deviation
and coefficient of variation were calculated for
each batch.
Disintegration Time Test
The United States Pharmacopoeia14 method was
employed using the Erweka disintegration unit
(Erweka Apparatebau, Western Germany). The
disintegration medium was a freshly prepared
simulated intestinal fluid placed in a one litre
beaker. The simulated intestinal fluid was
prepared by dissolving 2g of NaCl and 3.2g of
purified pepsin in 7ml of HCl and sufficient
quantity of water added to make up the volume to
one litre. The temperature of the apparatus was
maintained at 37 10C. Five tablets selected
randomly from each of the batches were placed in
each of the tubes in the basket. The time taken for
each tablet to break down into particles and pass
through the mesh was noted. The mean
disintegration time for each batch was calculated.
Standard Beers Plot for Metronidazole.
A stock solution of metronidazole was prepared
using 100 mg pure metronidazole powder
dissolved in 200 ml of 0.1N HCl and various
dilutions of the stock were made. Their
absorbances were read at 278nm obtained after
scanning using spectrophotometer (Sp-6-450
UV/Vis Pye Unicam). A plot of the absorbance
against concentration (mg%) from which the beers
constant was determined from the slope of the
graph.
Dissolution Rate Test
The Erweka dissolution apparatus (Erweka,
Germany) with paddle operated at 501 rpm was

ISSN 1118 - 1931

used. The dissolution medium was 900ml of

freshly prepared 0.1N HCl. The temperature was
maintained at 36 to 38oC. Five samples of the
dissolution medium were drawn at 10 minutes
intervals. For each 5ml drawn, 5ml of fresh 0.1N
HCl maintained at the same temperature was
added. Adequate dilution of each of the
withdrawn samples was made with the 0.1N HCl.
Absorbance was taken at 278 nm using the UVVis spectrophotometer. Five determinations were
made for each of the samples at the different time
intervals. The concentrations were then calculated
using the Beer Lamberts equation thus
A=KC
Where A = Absorbance, K= beers constant
obtained from standard beers plot,
C= concentration
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The table shows the properties of aloe gum tablets
in comparison to acacia gum and sodium
carboxymethyl cellulose at different binder
concentrations.
The hardness of the tablets prepared with
aloe vera gum at the different concentrations were
all within the acceptable range of 4 to 7 KgF. At
4% concentration, the hardness of the aloe tablets
was 6.5 0.71, while acacia and Na CMC have
6.9 0.66 and 8.4 0.77 respectively. As the
binder concentration of aloe increased, hardness
also increased. The friability of tablets prepared
from aloe gum was also comparable to those of
the acacia and sodium CMC tablets.
All the batches of Aloe barbadensis
complied with the requirements of the British
Pharmacopoeia which states that not more than
one tablet weight should vary by more than 5%
and none by more than 10% of the mean tablet
weight15. This implies that aloe gum imparts
required adhesive property to tablet granules.
Aloe tablet batches of 5.79 to 7.21 KgF
hardness, complying to the required BP standard,
disintegrated in less than two minutes, complied

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Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt. Printed in Nigeria.

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with the BP standard. However, its disintegration

was faster than tablets prepared with acacia and
sodium CMC at the same concentrations.
Expectedly, the disintegration time increased with
increase in binder concentrations.
The comparative dissolution profiles of
metronidazole tablets prepared with aloe gum,
acacia and sodium CMC is shown in Fig 1,2 and
3.
80

70

D is s o lu tio n ra te

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0

10

20

30

40

50

T ime(mins )
AL O E

AC AC IA

FIG 1: DISSOLUTION RATE AT 1% CONCENTRATION

NAC MC

60

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Scientia Africana, Vol. 9 (No.2), December, 2010, pp 119-125
Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt. Printed in Nigeria.

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90
80
70

50
40
30
20
10
0
0

10

20

30
T ime(mins )

A L OE

40

50

A C A C IA

60

NA C MC

FIG 2: DISSOLUTION RATE AT 2% CONCENTRATION

80

70
60
Dis s olutionrate

Dis s o lu tio n rate

60

50
40
30
20
10
0
0

10

20
A L OE

30
T ime(mins )
A C A C IA

40

50
NA C MC

FIG 3: DISSOLUTION RATE AT 4% CONCENTRATION

60

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Scientia Africana, Vol. 9 (No.2), December, 2010, pp 119-125
Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt. Printed in Nigeria.

In general, as the binder concentration increased,

the amount of drug released decreased. This is
because an increase in binder concentration results
in the formation of more solid bonds in the tablet
which leads to increased tensile strength of the
tablets and hence a reduction in disintegration and
dissolution rates16.
In all binder concentrations, aloe tablets
had a faster onset of release. Its dissolution rate
was comparable to those of the acacia tablets. The
sodium CMC tablets released its active ingredient
at a much slower pace, probably due to its
polymeric nature which results in the formation of
a swellable matrix that impedes the rate of release
of the drug.
Aloe gum had binding properties
comparable to acacia which is a standard binder
used in the preparation of metronidazole tablets.
However, the disintegration time and dissolution
rates of the tablets prepared with aloe vera gum
were lower. The binder concentrations tested,
suggests the possibility of using aloe vera gum for
fast release tablets.
As all parameters fall within required standards,
the research shows that aloe vera gum has the
potential of being a suitable binder in tablet
preparations and might be found to be of great use
in the preparation of fast release tablets.
REFERENCES
British Pharmacopoeia Vol II, Her Majestys
Stationery Office, 1988 141 144, 893 895
Chukwu A, 1994 Studies on Detarium
Microcarpium gum II. Investigation As A
Prolonged Release Matrix For Encapsulated
Chlorpheniramine Maleate, STP Pharma Sci
4: 399 403.
Disanto AR, 1995
Bioavailability and
Bioequivalency testing in Remington: The
Science And Practice of Pharmacy, 19th Ed 1
:606.
Mack
Publishing
Company,
Pennsylvania
Eichie F.E, Amalime AE, 2007 Evaluation of the
binder effects of the gum mucilages of Cissus
populinea and Acassia Senegal on the
mechanical properties of paracetamol tablets.

ISSN 1118 - 1931

African Journal of Biotechnology 6, No 19:

2208 2211
Emeje Martins, Isimi Christiane, Kunle Olobayo,
2007 Effect of Grewia Gum on the
Mechanical Properties of Paracetamol tablet
formulations, African Journal of Pharmacy
and Pharmacology `2, 001 006
Ibezim E.C., Ofoefule S.I., Omeje E.O., Onyishi
V.I., Odoh U. E, 2008 The Role Of Ginger
Starch as a Binder in Acetaminophen Tablets.
Scientific Research and Essay 3(2), 046
050
Jani J.K, Shah D.P, Jain V.C, Patel M.J, Vithalan
D.A, 2007 Evaluating Mucilage From Aloe
barbadensis Miller As A Pharmaceutical
Excipient For Sustained Release Matrix
Tablets, Pharm Technol, , 31,90 98
Josias Hamman, 2008 Composition And
Applications of Aloe Vera Leaf Gel,
Molecules,
13,
1599 1616,
www.mdpi.org/molecules.
Kotke MK, Chueh H.R, Rodes C.T, 1992
Comparison of disintegrant and binder
activity of three corn starch products. Drug
Dev Ind Pharm 18:2207 2223
Kuntz, L.A. 1999 Food Product: Special Efforts
with Gums, Northbok Weeks Publishing
Company, www.foodproductiondesign.com,
Odeku O. A, Itiola O.A, 2005 Compression and
Mechanical Properties of Tablet Formulations
Containing Corn, Sweet Potato and Cocoyam
Starches
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Pharmaceutical
Technology, www.pharmtech.com.
Prescott JK, Barnum RA , 2000 Powder
Flowability. Pharm. Technol 24: 60-84
Ritchey C.R, 1972 Natural Products From Aloe,
MS Thesis Oklahoma State University, Still
Water,
Trease G.E, Evan W.C, Pharmacognosy, 14th
Edition, Balliore, Tindell, London, 247
The USP 19th Edition, US Pharmacopoeia
Convention, Rockville, Maryland, 1975
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2(1) 147 153.

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Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt. Printed in Nigeria.

PROPERTIES
BINDER CONC(%)

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1
4.70.59

ALOE GUM
2
4
6.200.35 6.50.71

1
5.90.05

FRIABILITY (%)

2.20

1.80

2.13

1.80

2.15

1.51

2.15

2.14

1.48

WEIGHT
UNIFORMITY mg

2998.27

3069.79

2815.02

2957.85

3018.08

29511.02

3005.64

3016.69

28814.58

MEAN
DISINTEGRATION
TIME (min)

1.270.05

1.570.23

1.960.16

1.950.39

4.230.07

6.280.19

10.340.32

48.740.45

52.050.35

MEAN TABLET
HARDNESS
(KgF)

ACACIA GUM
2
4
6.500.66
6.900.66

1
5.900.39

SODIUM CMC
2
4
7.200.67
8.400.77