Development and Evaluation of Fast-Dissolving Glimepiride Tablets Using Natural Superdisintegrants

Fast-dissolving tablets (FDTs) of glimepiride were formulated using natural superdisintegrants - Arachis hypogaea shell powder (AHSP), fenugreek seed powder (FSP), and mango peel pectin powder (MPP) - and compared with synthetic alternatives sodium starch glycolate (SSG), crospovidone (CRSPVD), and croscarmellose sodium (CCS). The natural superdisintegrants were extracted, characterized, and incorporated into tablet formulations at concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15% w/w. Direct compression method was used for preparation of tablets, and the formulations were evaluated for physicochemical parameters including weight variation, hardness, friability, drug content uniformity, disintegration time, and in vitro dissolution. FTIR studies confirmed the absence of drug-excipient interactions. Among the natural superdisintegrants, AHSP at 15% concentration exhibited optimal performance with a disintegration time of 24 seconds and 98.20% drug release within 20 minutes. The dissolution efficiency of the natural superdisintegrants at 15% concentration followed the order: FSP > AHSP > MPP. All formulations demonstrated acceptable physical parameters within pharmacopoeial limits. The results of this work show the potential of these natural alternatives as effective superdisintegrants for developing fast-dissolving glimepiride tablets, offering advantages of biocompatibility and cost-effectiveness over synthetic excipients.