DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF CHRONOTHERAPEUTIC TABLETS CONTAINING BOSWELLIA SERRATA AND GINGER OFFICIANALES IN THE TREATMENT OF ARTHRITIS

The objective of the present research was to formulate a chronotherapeutic oral delivery system for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. The active ingredients were a combination of Boswellia serrata & ginger extracts. To achieve a chronotherapeutic system many polymers were used as retardants. Formulation of uncoated tablets was done by direct compression method. Powder blends were evaluated for precompression parameters like bulk density, tapped density, Hasuner's Ratio, % CI and angle of repose.The results showed that the powder blends exhibited good flow properties. In this method, Superdisintegrants like cross PVP were used in concentrations (4-11%w/w), sodium starch glycolate were used in concentrations (8-10%w/w) and disintegrant starch was used in combination with cross PVP in 7.5%w/w concentration each. Optimization was done by varying the disintegrant concentrations. Various post compression parameters like hardness, thickness, weight variation, friability, disintegration time and in-vitro dissolution studies were checked for optimizing the formulation. Batches showing disintegration of less than 30 mins were taken further for coating experiments. Formulation of coated tablets for chronotherapeutic release were done by different polymer coatings to achieve chronotherapeutic release. Eudragit S-100 coat was optimized as it provided a better lag time than other formulations. Characterization and Evaluation of coated tablets: Chronotherapeutic tablets of Boswellia serrata and ginger were formulated and batch ET2 was optimized which showed percent drug release 82.32% of Boswellia serrata and 98.98% of ginger at the end of 12 hours. Key words: Chronotherapeutic delivery, Boswellia serrata, ginger and Eudragit S-100