Dynamic distribution of moistening agent in preparation of Andrographis paniculata granule by high shear wet granulation / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the dynamic distribution of moistening agent in Andrographis paniculata granule (APG) during the high shear wet granulation (HSG). Methods: A. paniculata extract was utilized as a model drug and mixed with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with the ratio of 1∶1.5 by weight. The granules were prepared using HSG with 60% ethanol as the moistening agent. Sodium fluorescein was incorporated as a tracer in the moistening agent in order to detect its distribution in the granules during the process. Results: The moistening agent was heterogeneously distributed at the beginning of the process, fractional powder was over wetted, meanwhile partial powder was not wetted, and granule size distribution was polarization. The moistening agent tended to be evenly distributed and the granule size distribution presented nearly unimodal distribution with the increase of granulation time. Conclusion: The distribution of moistening agent obeys the first-order kinetics model during HSG of APG.