Abstract

A large number of Chinese and Japanese medicinal plants have been widely studied and data generated to provide scientific basis to the traditional claims. In majority of herbal formulations, preformulations and post formulation studies are lacking. Hence, an attempt is made to develop senna formulations using crude powder, standardized extract and calcium sennosides. Senna powder tablets were prepared by wet granulation method. Different binders and diluents affected the % compressibility and hardness of the formulations. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone and cocrystallized lactose-microcrystalline cellulose showed improved tablet characteristics. Senna powder contains mucilage, which slows the disintegration of the tablet. Cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone improved disintegration time of senna power tablets. To improve the bioavailability, incorporate more amounts of actives and to reduce the dosage size, tablets of senna extract and calcium sennosides were prepared. Sennosides content was analyzed using HPLC method. Formulation parameters and dissolution study results of senna powder tablet were compared with tablet containing senna extract calcium sennosides. Calcium sennosides and senna extract tablet showed better dissolution than senna powder tablet.