Formulation, Optimization, and Characterization of Hepatoprotective Polyherbal Tablet

Abstract

Background: Liver cirrhosis is a liver disease with a high mortality rate worldwide, and antifibrotic drugs are generally used for alleviating symptoms, but there are still limitations of current therapies. Research is going on new therapies including herbals for management of cirrhosis.

Objective: Literature-based research identifies curcumin, hesperidin, Aegle marmelos (bael), Solanum nigrum (black nightshade), and Silybum marianum (milk thistle) as hepatoprotective phytoconstituents and herbs. The current study aims to develop and evaluate a hepatoprotective polyherbal tablet.

Methods: Tablets were prepared using the direct compression method utilizing polymers including microcrystalline cellulose, starch, etc. Response surface methodology (central composite design) was used for optimizing formulation, taking hardness and disintegration time as dependent variables. The prepared formulations were characterized using parameters including weight variation, friability, thickness, percentage drug release, etc. Furthermore, formulations were evaluated for release kinetics studies.

Results: Optimized formulation (F14) revealed percentage drug release from 71.57–94.91%. Furthermore, other parameters were also found to be satisfactory. Results from kinetics study revealed that F14 followed the Hinton-Crowell model with non-fickian release mechanism.

Conclusion: Polyherbal hepatoprotective tablets can be used for sustained delivery of polyherbs as an alternative therapy for management of liver cirrhosis and hepatoprotective action. Furthermore, pre-clinical and clinical studies should be done for better applicability.

  • Page Number : 105-118
  • Published Date : 2025-12-20
  • Keywords
    Liver cirrhosis, Hepatoprotective, Tablet, Herbs, Phytochemicals, Controlled release
  • DOI Number
    10.15415/jptrm.2025.131008
  • Authors
    Kamaljeet1, Rameshwar Das, Priyanka Kriplani, and Prabhjot Kaur

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