Exploration of melt granulation technique for the development of coprocessed directly compressible adjuvant containing lactose and microcrystalline cellulose.

The objective of the present investigation was to prepare and evaluate lactose and microcrystalline cellulose based, directly compressible adjuvant using melt granulation technique. The percentage of polymer blend (PVP K 30 and PEG 4000; 5, 10, or 15%) and the polymer blend ratio (9:1, 1:1, or 1:9) were selected as independent variables in a 3(2) full factorial design. The lactose and microcrystalline cellulose blend (3:1) was mixed with the meltable binder on a water bath at 90 degrees C. The agglomerates were cooled to 35 degrees C and subsequently passed through 30 mesh. A batch containing 12.5% of the polymer blend containing 1:9 ratio of PVP:PEG was used for further studies. In an another 3(2) full factorial design, disintegrant (crospovidone, croscarmellose sodium, or sodium starch glycolate) and mode of addition of disintegrant (intragranular, extragranular, or combination of intragranular and extragranular) were used as independent variables. The agglomerates were evaluated for percentage fines and Carr's index. Tablets were prepared on a single-punch tablet machine, and they were evaluated for tensile strength, friability, and disintegration time. Regression analysis was carried out to evolve full and refined models. Contour plots are presented for graphical expression of the results. The use of composite index is demonstrated for the selection of an appropriate batch. The disintegration time of tablets reduced from 18 min to 6 min when 6% crospovidone was included in the product. The optimized adjuvant was characterized for particle size distribution, granular friability, Kawakita's and Kuno's equation, and dilution potential study. Turmeric, glycyrrhiza, acetaminophen, and metformin HCl were used as model drugs for the preparation of tablets. The present study underlines the fact that melt granulation technique may be adopted for the development of multifunctional directly compressible adjuvant for use in pharmaceuticals. The advantages of melt granulation technique over the classical wet granulation and spray-drying are presented.