Influence of processing methods on physico-mechanical properties of Ibuprofen/HPC-SSL formulation.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of processing methods on the physical and mechanical properties of formulations containing Ibuprofen and HPC-SSL. The powder blends, containing Ibuprofen and HPC-SSL in ratio of 9:0.5, were processed using melt granulation (MG) by hot melt extrusion (HME) and wet granulation (WG) by high shear mixer. Formulated granules and powder blends were compressed into round flat faced tablets using Riva Piccola tablet press. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) studies proved that granulation process did not significantly alter the crystallinity of Ibuprofen, however, particle density and flow properties were significantly improved. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis corroborate with the findings that the flow characteristics of granules from MG were relatively superior to other formulations. Formulations were investigated for out-of-die compaction behaviour using Heckel, Kawakita, and CTC profile analysis. Detailed examination revealed that all three formulations differed in particle size due to the granulation, thus conferring to different compaction behaviour. In WG and MG, granulation offered an increase in particle size resulting in high compressibility along with deformation at low compression pressure. This results into low yield pressure, low yield strength, and higher densification, as compared with dry blend. The current work provides an insight into factors affecting physical and mechanical properties tablets, which can facilitate the rational selection of suitable change in processing method instead of changing excipients.