Fast Dissolving Tablets of Aloe Vera Gel

Purpose: The objective of this work was to prepare and evaluate fast dissolving tablets of the nutraceutical, freeze dried Aloe vera gel.
Methods: Fast dissolving tablets of the nutraceutical, freeze-dried Aloe vera gel, were prepared by dry granulation method. The tablets were evaluated for crushing strength, disintegration time, wetting time, friability, drug content and drug release. A 3² full factorial design was applied to investigate the combined effect of two formulation variables -amounts of microcrystalline cellulose and mannitol.
Results: The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that in order to obtain a fast dissolving tablet of the Aloe vera gel, an optimum concentration of mannitol and a higher content of microcrystalline cellulose should be used. A response surface plot was also provided to graphically represent the effect of the independent variables on the disintegration time and wetting time. The validity of the generated mathematical model was tested by preparing a check point batch.
Conclusion: This investigation has demonstrated that satisfactory fast dissolving Aloe vera gel tablets can be formulated. It also showed the potential of experimental design in understanding the effect of formulation variables on the quality of fast dissolving tablets.

Keywords
Aloe vera, Fast dissolving tablet, Factorial design, Mathematical model, Mannitol, Microcrystalline cellulose