The primary objective of this study was to develop and evaluate floating herbal tablets containing extracts of amla (Emblica officinalis) and ginger (Zingiber officinale). These herbal ingredients were selected for their well-documented health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties. The aim was to enhance the gastric residence time of the tablets, thereby improving the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of the herbal extracts. Floating tablets were prepared using a combination of effervescent agents (sodium bicarbonate) and hydrophilic polymers (HPMC K100 and Sodium Alginate) to achieve the desired buoyancy and controlled release characteristics. Physical parameters like hardness, friability, and weight variation were measured for the prepared tablets. The floating lag time and total floating duration were measured in vitro buoyancy studies in simulated gastric fluid (0.1 N HCl) at 37°C. The release profile of active ingredients from the tablets was also measured in vitro release studies. The optimized formulation showed a floating lag time that was less than 20 seconds and a total floating duration exceeding 12 hours. The developed floating herbal tablets of amla and ginger extracts successfully achieved prolonged gastric retention and controlled release, which can potentially enhance the therapeutic efficacy of these herbal ingredients.
floating herbal tablets, amla extract, ginger extract, buoyancy, controlled release, effervescent agent
Ali, B. H., Blunden, G., Tanira, M. O., & Nemmar, A. (2008). Some phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale): a review of recent research. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46(2), 409-420.
Baliga, M. S., Meera, S., Mathai, B., Rai, M. P., Pawar, V., & Palatty, P. L. (2011). Scientific validation of the ethnomedicinal properties of amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn). Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 129(3), 255-262.
Basak, S.C., Rao, K.N., Manavalan, R., & Rao, P. R. (2004). Development and in vitro evaluation of an oral floating matrix tablet formulation of ciprofloxacin. Indian Journal of Pharmceutical Science, 66, 313-316.
Baviskar, P., Patil, P., & Saudagar, R. B. (2019). Floating Drug Delivery System: A Comprehensive review. Journal of drug delivery and therapeutics, 9(3), 839-846.
Bhagat, A., Singh S.D., & Ghatuary, S., Parkhe, G. (2019). Formulation, Development and Evaluation of Gastroretentive Floating Tablets of Lovastatin Using Natural Polymer, EAS Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 1(4), 92-98.
Chawla, G., Gupta, P., Koradia, V., & Bansal, A. K. (2003). Gastroretention: A means to address regional variability in intestinal drug absorption. Pharmaceutical Technology, 27(7), 50-68.
Ekor, M. (2014). The growing use of herbal medicines: issues relating to adverse reactions and challenges in monitoring safety. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 4, 177-183.
Ernst, E., & Pittler, M. H. (2000). Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 84(3), 367-371.
Fatima, Z., & Shahidulla, S. (2023). Formulation, optimization and evaluation of hexadecanoic acid phytosomal gel for anti-fungal activity, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 14(1),519-529.
Mandal, S., Ratan, G.N., Mulla, J.S., Thimmasetty, J., Kaneriya, A. (2010) Design and in vitro evaluation of gastro retentive sustained release tablets of tizanidine hydrochloride. Indian Journal of Novel Drug delivery, 2(4), 144-152.
Mulla, J.A., Dasankoppa, F.S., Vilas, G.J., & Sholapur, H.P. (2008). Fast dissolving tablets of promethazine: A novel oral formulation for the treatment of fractionated radiotherapy-induced nausea and emesis. Indian drugs, 45(4), 314-323.
Nayak, A. K., Maji, R., & Das, B. (2010). Gastroretentive drug delivery systems: a review. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research, 3(1), 2-10.
Patel, M., Shelke, S., Surti, N., Panzade, P., Al-Keridis, L. A., Upadhyay, T. K., Alshammari, N., & Saeed, M. (2023). Design, preparation, and in vitro evaluation of gastroretentive floating matrix tablet of mitiglinide. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1140351
Potekar, P.M., Mulla, J.A.S., & Doijad, R.C. (2017). Gastro-Retentive Drug Delivery Systems: A Review. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery, 9(3), 159-166.
Reddy, L.H., & Murthy, R.S. (2002). Floating dosage systems in drug delivery. Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 19(6), 553-585.
Scartezzini, P., & Speroni, E. (2000). Review on some plants of Indian traditional medicine with antioxidant activity. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 71(1-2), 23-43.
Singh, B. N., & Kim, K. H. (2000). Floating drug delivery systems: an approach to oral controlled drug delivery via gastric retention. Journal of Controlled Release, 63(3), 235-259.
Tipugade, O.B., & Mulla, J.A.S., (2022). Floating Microspheres: A Novel Drug Delivery System. Indian Journal of Novel Drug Delivery, 14(4), 181-191.
Upadhye, M., Badoni, P., & More, S. (2014). Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Floating Tablets. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 7(9), 1034-1037.
Vummaneni, V., Nagpal, D., & Surapaneni, S. (2012). Formulation and optimization of floating tablet using 23 factorial design, Journal of Pharmacy Research, 5(12), 5280-5284.
