Formulation and Evaluation of Oro-Dispersible Tablets Using Modified Polysaccharides

Orodispersible tablets (ODT) of levocetirizine was prepared using natural polysaccharides ipomoea batatas starch, amorphophallus campanulatus starch and their modified form by direct compression method and evaluated for their superdisintegrant activity. Levocetirizine dihydrochloride was used as a model drug. The prepared formulations were compared with synthetic superdisintegrants such as crosspovidone and diluent Ludiflash for disintegration and other ODT parameters. FTIR study indicated no interaction between drug and excipients. Precompression parameters, studied for all the formulations were found to be satisfactory. Different concentrations of 2.5%, 5, 7.5% and 10% of modified and unmodified forms of both starches were studied for the improvement in the ODT parameters. The formulations LISN (10%), LISM (10%) (LIS-levocetirizine dihydrochloride+ ipomoea batatas starch; N-Natural; M-Modified) and LASN (10%), LASM (10%) (LAS-levocetirizine dihydrochloride+amorphophallus campanulatus starch; N-Natural; Mmodified) of both the starches showed better DT than lower concentrations. Synthetic superdisintegrant crosspovidone was compared with formulations of natural superdisintegrants. The formulation containing crospovidone 5% concentration showed better DT of 32 seconds compared to natural superdisintegrants, and was used for further comparison of modified polysaccharides. The tablets prepared with Ludiflash as diluent without crospovidone, showed no significant difference in disintegration time. The formulation LASMLU (LAS-Levocetirizine dihydrochloride + amorphophallus campanulatus starch; M-Modified; Lu-Ludiflash) showed 95% of drug release compared to other formulations. The release profile of 10% of modified amorphophallus campanulatus starch LASM or Ludiflash (LASMLU) formulations did not show any significant difference in release profile. Hence in conclusion starch citrate, a new modified starch at 10% or at 5% concentration with crosspovidone with or without Ludiflash as diluent can be used as superdisintegrant for the preparation of orodispersible tablets.