Comparative Evaluation of the Disintegrant Properties of Rice Husk Cellulose, Corn Starch and Avicel in Metronidazole Tablet Formulation.

ABSTRACT

Cellulose is a polysaccharide that has been employed in pharmaceutical applications over the years. However, the quest for waste management and an alternative to imported raw materials for locally manufactured drug products necessitated this study. This study was undertaken to explore the application of cellulose extracted from waste, rice husk as a disintegrant in the formulation of metronidazole tablets for immediate release. Cellulose was extracted from rice husk and characterized. Thereafter, a comparative characterization of the attributes of the tablets formulated was undertaken using Corn Starch, microcrystalline cellulose and rice husk as disintegrants. The granules were characterized for flow properties and tablets were evaluated for crushing strength, friability, disintegration and in vitro drug release. The tablets formulated with rice husk cellulose were found to be bioequivalent to those of corn starch which is a standard in comparative studies of disintegrants. Hence, rice husk cellulose is an alternative excipient to explore as a pharmaceutical excipient for limited resource economies.