RESUMO
Objective: To investigate the correlations between micromeritic primary properties and compactibility of granules produced by wet granulation of Sarcandrae Herba with soluble starch and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Methods: Micromeritic primary properties and compactibility of granules produced by wet granulation which was obtained by different prescriptions and processes were determined. Particle size (D90), specific surface area (SSA), pore volume (PV), moisture content (MC), bulk density (BD), tap density (TD), tap index (TI), angle of repose (AOR), and Kawakita equation parameters a and b were used as evaluation indexs to study the micromeritic primary properties of granulation. The tensile strengths of granules at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 kN pressure were used as the indexs to evaluate the compactibility of granules produced. Multivariate analysis was applied to evaluating the correlations between micromeritic primary properties and compactibility of granules produced. Results: The micromeritic primary properties of granules could be extracted as two principal components, morphology parameter and compressibility parameter. The significant effects on the tablet compactibility are the compressibility, moisture, and surface morphology of granules produced. Conclusion: Multivariate data analysis could make the quick and easy classification of Sarcandrae Herba Granule. The correlation between granules micromeritic primary properties and tablet compactibility is given. By controlling compressibility, moisture, and surface morphology of granules produced, the tablets with good compactibility can be obtained.