Evaluation of Tableting Properties of Adhatoda vasica Leaf Powder

The leaf of Adhatoda vasica Nees is widely used for its antitussive, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, antitubercular and anti-inflammatory activity. The objective of the present research was to study the original flowability, compressibility and compactibility of Adhatoda vasica leaf powder and develop its tablet formulations by wet granulation and direct compression technology. The consolidation behaviors of powder and tablet formulations were studied by using Heckel and Leuenberger equation. Adhatoda vasica leaf powder showed very poor flowability and compactibility. Kawakita analysis revealed improved flowability for formulations prepared by direct compression and wet granulation technique. The Heckel plot showed that Adhatoda vasica leaf powder is soft in nature, poor in die filling. Granules showed higher degree of plasticity and fragmentation than leaf powder and direct compression formulation. The compression susceptibility parameter for compact formed by direct compression and wet granulation technique indicated that the maximum crushing strength is reached faster at lower pressures of compression. Brittle fracture index value revealed that tablets prepared from granules showed lesser fracture tendency than the direct compression formulation. From this study, it is concluded that desired flowability, compressibility and compactibility of Adhatoda vasica leaf powder can be obtained by direct compression and wet granulation technique.