Formulation and evaluation of sustained release diclofenac sodium matrix tablets produced using Brachystegia eurycoma gum

This study was carried out to evaluate sustained release diclofenac sodium matrix tablets formulated using Brachystegia eurycoma gum (BEG) as matrix polymer. BEG was isolated by acetone -precipitation of the filtrate obtained from the maceration of powdered dried seeds of Brachystegia eurycoma in distilled water. Diclofenac sodium matrix tablets were produced by non-aqueous wet granulation method using BEG as the hydrophilic matrix former. The tablets were evaluated using official and unofficial tests such as; uniformity of weight, content uniformity, dissolution test, tablets diameter, thickness, hardness and friability tests. The drug release profile of the matrix tablets were compared to that formulated using a standard matrix former, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). Hardness values ranged from 6.12 ± 1.80 to 9.73 ± 1.39 kgf, friability from 0.31 ± 0.00 to 1.00 ± 0.00%. The drug content ranged from 98 to 101 %. The percentage drug released from the matrix tablets after 10 h was between 71.27 and 98.73 % except for formulation BF3 that released 32.56 %. This study showed that sustained release diclofenac sodium matrix tablets were  successfully formulated using Brachystegia eurycoma gum as the matrix former and the tablets were comparable to that formulated with HPMC. Keywords: Brachystegia eurycoma gum; Diclofenac sodium; Matrix tablets; Sustained release