Isolation and evaluation of fenugreek seed husk as a granulating agent

*Corresponding Author:

Amelia Avachat
Sinhgad College of Pharmacy, Off Sinhgad Road, Vadgaon (BK.), Pune - 411 041, India
E-mail: amavachat@yahoo.com

Abstract

In the present study a relatively simple method for the separation of husk from the seeds of Trigonella-foenum graecum (fenugreek) was developed. The entire seeds were subjected to size reduction followed by successive extractions with chlorinated hydrocarbons to separate the husk from the 'core and oily portion' to yield about 40%w/w of the husk. The dried husk was further powdered to 180 - 250 µ. It was characterized for various physicochemical parameters including swelling index, particle size distribution and flow properties. Use of fenugreek husk as a binding/granulating agent in solid dosage forms was also investigated. Diclofenac sodium and paracetamol were the model drugs of choice for optimizing the binding properties of husk in tablets using fenugreek husk dispersion, comparing the results against starch paste. Friability, hardness, disintegration, weight variation and dissolution were the parameters of comparative studies. Fenugreek husk dispersion was found to be superior over starch paste, on the basis of the selected parameters. The maximum concentration required of the husk as a binding agent was 4 -5% of the dosage form, which is relatively low as compared to starch.

Keywords

Fenugreek husk, swelling index, granulating agent, tablets

The plant, Trigonella-foenum graecum Linn. (Leguminosae) [1] is an aromatic annual herb. Various parts of fenugreek, mainly its leaves and seeds have been widely used in the Indian food. It has several cosmetic and medicinal uses like gastroprotrective, antiurolithiatic [2], hypoglycemic [3], diuretic, anti dandruff agent, antiinflammatory agent and as antioxidant. Mucilage of various seeds has been used as granulating and binding agent due to its non-toxicity, low cost, free availability, emollient and non irritating nature [4,5]. Isolation of mucilage from fenugreek seeds has been reported, but is a tedious and time-consuming process. Reported methods have isolated its mucilage from the seeds by maceration using water followed by precipitation [6]. In the present study an economically viable and a simple method for the separation of husk from fenugreek seeds was developed. Looking at the ability of the husk to form a mucilage, the possibility of using it as a binding/ granulating agent and release retardant material in solid dosage forms was also explored.

Fenugreek seeds were procured from Yucca Enterprises, paracetamol and diclofenac sodium were obtained as gift samples from Sunij Pharmaceuticals, Ahmedabad. All other chemicals and solvents were of analytical reagent grade.

For isolation of husk, seeds of Trigonella-foenum graecum were initially size reduced to 1000–1500 µ using a Hammer mill. These were then treated with various chlorinated hydrocarbons like chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride and other organic solvents. It was observed that chloroform and methylene chloride are better solvents and were used for experimental work. These crushed seeds were soaked in chloroform for 15 min. By decantation the crushed seeds were separated into husk and core that contains oily portion. Successive extractions with chloroform removed the traces of oily portion and core. The separated husk was air dried and subjected to size reduction by using Hammer mill to 180-250 µ. The milled material was passed through 60 # sieve to get the husk of particle size less than 250 µ. Size reduction was done to increase the surface area and swelling capacity.

The husk powder was evaluated for Swelling index [7], flow properties and particle size distribution. The swelling index is the volume in milliliter occupied by 1 g of a material, including any adhering mucilage, after it has swollen in aqueous liquid for 4 h.

One gram of powder was placed in a 25 ml groundglass- stoppered cylinder graduated over a height of about 120 to 134 mm in 5 ml divisions. The powder was moistened with 1 ml of ethanol (96%), water was added up to 25 ml and the cylinder was closed. It was shaken vigorously every 10 min for 1 hour and then allowed to stand for 3 h. The volume occupied by the powder was measured, including any adhering mucilage. Three tests were carried out at the same time. Swelling index was calculated from the mean of the three tests [8]. The dried and powdered fenugreek husk was also characterized and evaluated for various physicochemical properties such as Angle of repose, Carr’s compressibility index and Particle size distribution9-11 (Tables 1 and 2).

Table 1: Physicochemical Properties of Fenugreek Husk Powder, Paracetamol and Diclofenac Sodium Granules.

Table 2: Sieve Analysis of Fenugreek Husk Powder, Paracetamol and Diclofenac Sodium Granules.

Paracetamol and diclofenac sodium were used as model drugs for evaluating fenugreek husk powder as binder (Table 3). Binder solution was prepared by hydrating the given amount of fenugreek husk powder in minimum quantity of water for 15 min to form a paste-like mass (dispersion). Granules of both drugs were prepared by wet granulation method using fenugreek husk paste and were compared against granules prepared by using starch paste as a standard binding agent. Other excipients like lactose, magnesium stearate, talc and aerosil were added as diluent and lubricants, respectively. The prepared granules were evaluated for particle size distribution and flow properties like angle of repose and Carr’s compressibility index (Tables 1 and 2).

Table 3: Formulation of Paracetamol and Diclofenac Sodium Tablets.

The tablets were compressed using 6-station rotary tablet machine, using 12.5 mm flat-faced beveled edge punches for paracetamol tablets. Diclofenac sodium tablets were compressed using 8 mm flat-faced beveled edge punches. The tablets were evaluated for various standard parameters [12] (Table 4).

Table 4: Properties of Tablets.

Chloroform and methylene chloride proved to be better solvents for the separation of husk from the crushed seeds. Successive extractions produced higher yields. The yield of husk obtained from the seeds was around 40% w/w. Swelling capacity of the studied material and viscosity building ability of husk was favorable for it to be a good candidate as a granulating agent.

The granules prepared using the husk powder were comparable in various physical properties to those prepared using starch paste as a binder. The advantage of fenugreek husk over starch as a binding agent was that it could be used as a cold binder whereas starch has to be heated.

The tablets prepared with 5% of fenugreek husk showed more hardness as compared to those prepared with starch paste. These tablets also showed better properties in terms of friability and disintegration time specifically in case of paracetamol tablets, because capping is a problem frequently observed during high-speed compaction and further processing of paracetamol tablets. Comparable properties in diclofenac sodium tablets were also observed as compared to those made using starch paste. These properties were observed at a relatively much lower concentration of the binder as can be seen from the formula (Table 3).

The disintegration and dissolution time of both the tablets was comparable to the tablets prepared with starch paste as a binder which indicates that fenugreek husk is a better binder for paracetamol tablets since it has minimized the capping tendency without adversely affecting the properties which are crucial for therapeutic efficacy.

Fenugreek husk can easily be separated and subsequently powdered from the seeds by simple techniques. The particles can be easily hydrated and dispersed in water at room temperature in a very short time. The granules prepared of the suitable drugs with relatively lower proportion of the fenugreek husk paste (dispersion) as compared to traditional starch paste had better flow and compressibility. The compressed tablets complied with quality parameters as per official specifications.

Thus the aqueous dispersion of fenugreek husk was found to be a better granulating agent, being food article, devoid of toxicity and economic too, along with an ability to give desired attributes to the dosage form. Fenugreek husk studies are further going to explore its role in drug delivery systems including its release retardant properties and mucoadhesive nature.

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Sinhgad College of Pharmacy for providing the facilities for carrying out the research project.

References

1. Trease GE, Evans MC, editors. Textbook of Pharmacognosy, 15 th ed., Balliere, Tindall: London; 2002.
2. Ahsan SK, Tariq M, Ageel AM, Al-yahya MA, Shah AH. Effect of Trigonella-foenum-graecum and Ammimajus on calcium oxalate urolithiasis in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1989;26:249-54.
3. Abdul-Barry JA, Abdul-Hassan IA, Al-Hakein MH. Hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic effects of Trigonellafoenum-graecum leaf in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1997;58(3):149-55.
4. Baveja SK, Rao KV, Arora J. Examination of natural gums and mucilages as sustaining materials in tablet dosage forms, Part 2. Indian J Pharm Sci 1989;51:115-118.
5. Baveja SK, Rao KV, Arora J. Examination of natural gums and mucilages as sustaining materials in tablet dosage forms. Indian J Pharm Sci 1988;50:89-92.
6. Kulkarni GT, Gowathamarajan K, Rao BG, Suresh B. Evaluation of binding properties of Plantagoovata and Trigonellafoenumgraecummucilages. Indian drugs 2002;39(8):422-425.
7. Gohel MC, Patel MM, Amin AF. Development of modified release Diltiazem HCL tablets using composite index to identify optimal formulation. Drug Develop Ind Pharm 2003;29(5):565-74.
8. British Pharmacopoeia, Vol.II, Her Majesty's stationary office for the Department of Health; 3 rd ed., London; 2000.
9. Anderson NR, Banker GS. Tablets. In :Lachman L, Liberman HA, Kanig JL, editors. The Theory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy. 3 rd ed. Mumbai; Varghese Publication House; 1991. p. 27, 297, 320.
10. Aulton ME. Pharmaceutics: The science of dosage form design. 2 nd ed. Churchill Livingstone: Edinburgh; 2002.
11. Martin A. Physical Pharmacy: Physical Chemical principles in the Pharmaceutical Sciences. 4 th ed. Lippincott William and Wilkinss: USA; 2002.
12. Indian Pharmacopoeia, Vol. II, Govt. of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, The Controller of Publications: New Delhi; 1996.