Preparation of Glimepiride Sustained Release Matrix Tablets using Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Leaves Mucilage and Povidone

The main purpose of the present work was to develop matrix tablets of Glimepiride with Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves mucilage and Povidone and to study its functionality as a matrix forming agent for sustained release tablet formulations. Mucilage from Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves was extracted, isolated, purified and characterized. Physicochemical properties of the dried powdered mucilage of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves were studied. Various formulations of Glimepiride Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves mucilage and Povidone were prepared. The formulated tablets were tested for mechanical properties, friability, swelling behavior, in vitro drug release pattern and the dissolution data was subjected to mathematical modeling and the optimized formulation was tested for accelerated stability studies. The formulated tablets were found to have good mechanical properties, good swelling properties. The in vitro dissolution data was fitting to zero order and the release of drug from the formulation followed Higuchi's release. The accelerated stability studies revealed that the tablets retain their characteristics even after stressed storage conditions. From this study it was concluded that the dried Hibiscus rosa-sinensis leaves mucilage and Povidone combination can be used as an effective matrix forming material for making sustained release matrix tablets of Glimepiride.