Prof. M.V.Nagabhushanam * et al.

/International Journal Of Pharmacy&Technology

ISSN: 0975-766X

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Research Article

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF HP--CYCLODEXTRIN COMPLEXES OF

MEFENAMIC ACID TABLETS
1

Prof. M.V.Nagabhushanam1*, Ch.V.Prasada Rao2, Ch.Prabhakar3

Principal, D.C.R.M. Pharmacy College, Inkollu, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh, Pin 523 167. (India)
2
Assoc.Prof., Vishwa Bharathi College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Perecharla, Guntur 522 009,
3
Associate Prof., Department of Pharmaceutics, Chilukuru Balaji College of Pharmacy, Aziz Nagar,
Mainabad Road, Hyderabad 75.
Email: priya_narendra@rediffmail.com

Received on 12-04-2011

Accepted on 15-05-2011

Abstract
Hydroxy propyl--Cyclodextrin (HP--CD) inclusion complexes of mefenamic acid (MA) exhibited higher
dissolution rates and dissolution efficiency values than the corresponding un-complexed drug. The feasibility of
formulating the HP--cyclodextrin complexes of mefenamic acid (1:3) into tablet dosage forms is evaluated.
Solid inclusion complexes of mefenamic acid prepared by kneading method were formulated into tablets by wet
granulation and direct compression methods. All the tablets formulated employing HP--cyclodextrin complexes of
mefenamic acid gave rapid and higher dissolution rates when compared to that of mefenamic acid plain tablets. All
the prepared tablets fulfilled the official (I.P.) disintegration time specification of uncoated tablets. Overall, tablets
prepared by direct compression method disintegrate rapidly when compared to those prepared by wet granulation
method. Analysis of dissolution data as per zero-order and first order kinetic models indicated that the dissolution
of mefenamic acid from all the tablets followed first-order kinetics. In both direct compression and wet granulation
methods, tablets formulated employing cyclodextrin complexes (MAT2, MAT4) gave higher rates of dissolution
and dissolution efficiency values when compared to the corresponding tablets formulated with mefenamic acid as
such (MAT1, MAT3). Among all the mefenamic acid tablets formulated, formulation MAT2, which is based on

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MA-HP-CD (1:3) kneaded complex, gave highest dissolution. A 11.20 fold increase in the dissolution rate of
mefenamic acid was observed with MAT2 when compared to its plain tablets (MAT1).
Key words: Mefenamic acid, Cyclodextrin Complexes, Dissolution rate, Kneading Method.
Introduction
The poor dissolution characteristics of relatively insoluble drugs have long been a problem to Pharmaceutical
Industry. A number of modern drugs are poorly soluble in water and aqueous fluids. Their absorption and
bioavailability require improvement in the dissolution rate and efficiency.

Among the various methods for

improving the dissolution rate and bioavailability , cyclodextrin complexation was found to be very successful with
a number of poorly soluble drugs such as Rofecoxib1, Nimesulide2, Ciprofloxacin3, Tolbutamide4, Paracetamol5,
Diclofenac sodium6 etc. Cyclodextrins such HP- cyclodextrin7-15, -cyclodextrin16,14,17, , , hydroxyl propyl-cyclodextrin, -cyclodextrin18,16, Triacetyl-- cyclodextrin , Methylated- cyclodextrin19, Hydroxy ethyl-cyclodextrin20 etc., are used for preparing cyclodextrin complexes. Most of the non-steroidal anti inflammatory
drugs belong to class II category under biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) i.e., they are inherently
highly permeable through biological membranes, but exhibit low aqueous solubility. They need enhancement in
solubility and dissolution rate for improving their oral bioavailability. In the present investigation studies were
carried out on cyclodextrin complexes of mefenamic acid for enhancing the dissolution rate. Mefenamic acid, an
anthranilic acid derivative, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) 21. It is used in mild to moderate
pain including headache, dental pain, postoperative and postpartum pain, dysmenorrhoea, osteoarthritis. The usual
dose by mouth is 500 mg three times daily. Mefenamic acid is absorbed from gastro intestinal tract. Peak plasma
concentration occurs at about 2 to 4 hours after ingestion. Rate of absorption and/or extent of bioavailability for
such insoluble hydrophobic drug are controlled by rate of dissolution in gastro-intestinal fluids22. Cyclodextrin
complexes of mefenamic acid were prepared employing kneading method for enhancing the dissolution rate and
bioavailability of mefenamic acid.

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Materials and Methods: Mefenamic acid was a gift sample from M/s.Sigma Laboratories, Mumbai. HP-cyclodextrin was a gift sample from SA Pharmaceuticals. Lactose, potato starch, talc, magnesium sterate were
procured from commercial sources. All other materials used were of pharmacopoeial grade.
Preparation of Cyclodextrin Complexes
Solid inclusion complexes of mefenamic acid and HP--cyclodextrin were prepared in 1:3 ratios employing
kneading method.
Kneading Method
Mefenamic Acid and HP--cyclodextrin were triturated in a mortar with a small volume of a solvent blend of
water-methanol (3:2). The thick slurry was kneaded for 45 min and then dried at 55 o C until dry. The dried mass
was pulverized and sieved through mesh No.120.
Estimation of mefenamic acid in cyclodextrin complexes
A spectrophotometric method based on the measurement of absorbance at 279 nm in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 was
used in the present study for the estimation of mefenamic acid23. The method was validated for reproducibility,
accuracy, precision and linearity by analyzing six individually weighed samples of mefenamic acid. The stock
solution of mefenamic acid was subsequently diluted to a series of dilution containing 5, 10, 15 and 20 g/ml of
solution, using phosphate buffer of pH 7.4.

The absorbance of these solutions was measured in UV-VIS

spectrophotometer (ELICO SL-159). The method obeyed Beers law in the concentration range of 0-20 g/ml. 100
mg of inclusion complex was taken in a 50 ml volumetric flask. Methanol about 40 ml was added and mixed
thoroughly. The contents were repeatedly warmed in a hot bath while mixing to dissolve the drug in the solvent.
The solution was made up to volume with methanol. The solution was then suitably diluted with phosphate buffer
of pH 7.4 and assayed at 279 nm for mefenamic acid by the spectrophotometric method. The results are given in
Table 1.

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Preparation of Tablets
Solid inclusion complexes prepared by kneading method were formulated into tablets. Both direct compression and
wet granulation methods were tried for the preparation of tablets. In the case of direct compression, microcrystalline cellulose
(PH 200), a directly compressible vehicle was added to improve the flow character of the CD complexes. Croscarmellose
sodium (4%) was used as the disintegrant. In the case of wet granulation method, gelatinized starch was used as binding
agent. Tablets each containing 100 mg of mefenamic acid were prepared as per the formulae given in Table 2.

Direct Compression Method

All ingredients were blended thoroughly in a closed dry plastic container. The blend of powders was compressed
into tablets to a hardness of 6-8 kg/sq.cm on a Cadmach single punch tablet machine. In each case 50 tablets were
prepared.
Wet Granulation Method
Mefenamic acid or its HP--CD complex and half the amount of disintegrant were mixed thoroughly in a mortar to
obtain a uniform blend. Starch paste was then added in small amounts while mixing the powder blend thoroughly.
Sufficient binding agent was added (to get 3% starch concentration in the formulae) and mixed to obtain a dough
mass. The mass was then passed through sieve No.12 to obtain wet granules. The granules were dried at 600 C for
about 4 hours. The dried granules were again passed through sieve No.16. Talc, magnesium stearate and the
remaining amount of disintegrant were then added to dry granules and blended thoroughly. The granules were
compressed into tablets on a Cadmach single punch tablet machine to a hardness of 6-8 kg/sq.cm.
Evaluation of mefenamic acid tablets
The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, disintegration, content of active ingredient and dissolution rate.
Disintegration times were determined in Thermonic tablet disintegration test machine (USP) using distilled water
as the fluid. Hardness of the tablets was tested using a Monsanto hardness tester. Friability of the tablets was
determined in a Roche friabilator. The results are given in Table 3.

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Content of Active Ingredient
From each batch ten tablets were weighed, powdered and mixed thoroughly. Four samples of tablet powder, each
equivalent to 20 mg drug were weighed accurately and taken in a boiling test tube. In each case, mefenamic acid
present in the tablet powder was extracted with 4 x 10 ml quantities of methanol and extracts were collected into
100 ml volumetric flask. The volume was made up to the mark with methanol. The solution was subsequently
diluted and assayed for mefenamic acid at 279 nm by the UV spectrophotometric method. The results are given in
Table 3.
Dissolution Rate Study
Dissolution rate of mefenamic acid-HP--CD tablets was studied using an USP XXIII 6 station dissolution rate test
apparatus (Electro Lab) with a paddle stirrer. The dissolution rate was studied in 900 ml of phosphate buffer pH 7.4
at a speed of 50 rpm and a temperature of 37 0C 10 C. Samples of dissolution medium (5ml) were withdrawn
through a filter (0.45) at different time intervals, suitably diluted, and assayed for mefenamic acid at 279 nm. The
dissolution medium withdrawn at each sampling time is replaced with fresh drug-free dissolution fluid. The
dissolution experiments were conducted in triplicate. The dissolution profiles of various tablets are shown in Table
4 and dissolution plots are shown in Fig 1. First order dissolution plots of the tablets are shown in Fig 2.
Results and Discussion
The dissolution rate and dissolution efficiency of mefenamic acid could be enhanced several times by the
cyclodextrin complexation using kneading method. The inclusion complexes formed are quite stable. A marked
increase in the aqueous solubility of mefenamic acid was obtained by HP--CD complexation. HP--CD complexes
prepared by kneading method gave higher enhancement in the dissolution rate of the mefenamic acid.

Tablets

prepared by direct compression method disintegrate rapidly when compared to those prepared by wet granulation
method. Tablet formulations developed in the present study are quite stable with regard to various physical
characters such as hardness, friability, disintegration and dissolution rate. Analysis of dissolution data as per zeroorder and first-order kinetic models indicated that the dissolution of mefenamic acid from all the tablets followed

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first order kinetics. Co-relation coefficient values (r) are shown in Table 5. In both direct compression and wet
granulation methods, tablets formulated employing cyclodextrin complexes (MAT2, MAT4) gave higher rates of
dissolution and dissolution efficiency values when compared to the tablets formulated with mefenamic acid as such
(MAT1, MAT3). Thus, cyclodextrin complexation employing kneading method is recommended as an effective
and efficient technique for enhancing the dissolution rate, dissolution efficiency of mefenamic acid. All dissolution
parameters (K1, DE30, T50, T90 ) indicated rapid and higher dissolution rates of mefenamic acid from tablets
formulated employing its cyclodextrin complexes when compared to plain tablets, MAT1, MAT3 and the values
are shown in Table 6.
Table-1: Mefenamic Acid Content of various Solid Inclusion Complexes of Mefenamic acid -HP--CD
Prepared by Kneading Method.
Percent Mefenamic Acid Content (x s.d., n =3)
CD Complex
Kneading Method
24.9

MA-HP- CD (1:3)

0.05 (0.20)

Figures in parentheses are coefficient of variation (C.V.) values.

Table-2: Formulae of Mefenamic acid Tablets Prepared employing its Cyclodextrin Complexes.
Formulation
Sl.

Ingredient

No.

(mg/tablet)

Direct Compression

Wet Granulation

MAT1

MAT2

MAT3

MAT4

100

100

400

400

400

100

1.

Mefenamic Acid

2.

MA-HP--CD(1:3)

3.

MCC PH 200

4.

Lactose

300

5.

Starch (as Mucilage)

12

12

6.

Ac-Di-Sol

15

15

16

16

7.

Talc

10

10

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8.

Magnesium Stearate

10

10

9.

Total Weight (mg)

535

535

444

444

Table-3: Drug Content, Hardness, Friability and Disintegration Times of Tablets prepared Employing
Mefenamic acid and its cyclodextrin Complexes.

Tablet
Formulation

Drug Content
(mg/tablet)

Hardness

Friability

Disintegration

(kg/sq.cm)

(%)

Time (min)

MAT1

98.9

7.5

0.56

2.5

MAT2

99.8

8.6

0.20

4.0

MAT3

99.1

8.1

0.35

3.5

MAT4

98.4

7.5

0.20

12.0

Table 4: Dissolution Profiles of Mefenamic acid Tablets Formulated Employing Mefenamic acid and its
Cyclodextrin complexes Prepared by Direct Compression Method (MAT1, MAT2) and Wet Granulation
Method (MAT3, MAT4)
Time

Percent Mefenamic Acid Dissolved (

x s.d., n=3)

(min)

MAT1

MAT2

MAT3

MAT4

11.87 0.55

30.04 0.38

10.62 0.54

8.65 0.72

10

28.30 0.74

57.28 0.34

25.70 0.38

17.2 0.84

20

34.40 0.17

62.10 0.87

35.30 0.75

24.40 0.98

30

39.60 0.29

69.20 0.28

42.85 0.80

36.50 0.45

45

45.80 0.74

74.60 0.67

49.56 0.21

48.85 0.94

60

51.60 0.84

79.45 0.84

56.85 0.84

59.20 0.82

90

58.70 0.57

86.40 0.59

62.65 0.76

65.40 0.53

120

62.55 0.86

89.56 0.24

69.50 0.57

72.60 0.69

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Table 5: Correlation Coefficient (r) values in the analysis of Dissolution data of MA-CD Tablets as per Zeroorder and First-order Kinetics
Correlation Coefficient (r)

Formulation

Zero-order

First order

MAT1

0.8885

0.9454

MAT2

0.9846

0.9998

MAT3

0.9800

0.9958

MAT4

0.9776

0.9997

Table 6: Dissolution Parameters of Tablets Formulated Employing Mefenamic Acid and its Cyclodextrin
Complexes.
Formulation

Dissolution Parameter
T50 (min)

T90 (min)

DE30 (%)

K1 (min-1)

MAT1

55.86

>120

27.12

0.0076

MAT2

8.66

>120

51.56

0.0851

MAT3

45.91

>120

27.10

0.0297

MAT4

46.67

>120

19.96

0.0189

Fig.1: Dissolution profiles of Mefenamic Acid Tablets prepared by Direct Compression and Wet
Granulation Methods.

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Fig.2: First order dissolution plots of Mefenamic Acid Tablets prepared by Direct Compression and Wet
Granulation Methods
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express sincere thanks to the management of DCRM Pharmacy College, Inkollu,
Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh for their cooperation and encouragement in carrying out the research work. The
author also expresses sincere thanks to M/s. Sigma Laboratories, M/s.S.A. Pharmaceuticals, Mumbai for their
generous gift samples of mefenamic acid and HP-beta cyclodextrins.
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Corresponding Author:
Dr.M.V.Nagabhushanam M.Pharm., Ph.D., MBA.,
Professor & Principal,
D.C.R.M.Pharmacy College,
Inkollu 523 167. Prakasam District, A.P.

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