Effect of polymeric properties on physical characteristics of fast disintegrating ibuprofen tablets: A statistical approach

Present research was an attempt to develop a statistical relationship between physicochemical properties of polymers and physical characteristics of fast disintegrating tablets of ibuprofen. Polymers are generally used in formulation to provide effective drug delivery give as well as good physical appearance. Here, several physicochemical properties of three different polymers were calculated and correlated with formulation characteristics of ibuprofen tablets. Further, a statistical model with good correlation coefficient was used to explain the effect of different properties of polymers on evaluation parameters of tablets. Compatibility between ibuprofen and different polymers was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. All evaluated parameters for tablets such as weight uniformity (0.21± 0.33 to 0.52 ± 0.42 %), drug content (98.12 ± 1.97 to 101.32 ± 2.24 %), hardness (4.30 ± 0.05 to 4.42 ± 0.06 Kg/cm) and friability (0.157 ± 0.035 to 0.323 ± 0.032 %) were found to comply with official limits. Developed statistical models for tablet hardness (correlation coefficient: r= +0.9597), friability (r= +0.9480) and disintegration time (r= +0.9989) indicated a good correlation between response under study and different physicochemical properties of polymers with significant analysis (F-test). Developed statistical models could have an ability to suggest the top physicochemical properties that need to be highly considered in selection of polymers for formulation with desired quality attributes. Additionally, such approach could be able to predict the formulation composition in advance and hence save time, material and formulation cost.