Preliminary study of Anacardium occidentale gum as binder in formulation of paracetamol tablets

An attempt was made to investigate the binding efficacy of cashew nut tree gum in tablet formulation in comparison with standard binders such as acacia and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP K-30). The paracetamol granules were prepared with different concentration of the gum as binder by wet granulation method. The granules were evaluated and found to be satisfactory for preparing compressed tablets. The tablets were prepared from the granules by hydraulic hand press and evaluated for volume of tablet, apparent density, porosity, relative density (or) packing fraction, percentage elastic recovery, tablet physical stability, content uniformity, weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration time, in vitro dissolution studies and surface analysis by SEM. Formulations containing the minimum concentration of 2.5% cashew nut tree gum as binding agent show short disintegration and fast dissolution including good physico-mechanical properties. The result suggests that cashew nut tree gum can be used as an alternative binder with 2.5% concentration to produce a tablet of better mechanical strength and dissolution profile of particular drug substance.