ABSTRACT:
The present study was undertaken for the development and evaluation of a polyherbal hepatoprotective tablets incorporated with the standardized extracts of medicinally plants used traditionally for hepatoprotection and detoxification. Herbal extracts of Phyllanthus niruri (Bhumi Amla), Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh), Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki) and Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava) was chosen from documented for their hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Phytochemical screening of extracts was done and extracts were combined to form a tablet formulation with adequate excipients by wet granulation method. Selected tablets were evaluated for pre-compression parameters such as angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index and Hausner’s ratio and post compression parameters such as hardness, thickness, friability, weight variation, disintegration time and drug content uniformity. In vitro dissolution test was carried out to determine the release rate of active constituents from tablet dosage forms. The results obtained showed that all formulated tablets had good physico chemical properties with acceptable hardness (4.8-5.6 kg/cm), friability below 1% and disintegration time within pharmacopeial limits. In vitro dissolution data clearly shown sustained and uniform release of phytoconstituents with higher than 90% release in 60 minutes. Tablets remained stable when stored at the storage conditions as per accelerated study without remarkable change in any of their physical parameter. The developed polyherbal formulation of hepatoprotective tablets was showed good pharmaceutical properties and could be beneficial as a herbal therapy against hepatic diseases. Additional studies are suggested to investigate the pharmacotherapy and clinical investigation for confirmed use of it.