International Journal of ChemTech Research CODEN( USA): IJCRGG ISSN : 0974-4290 Vol.2, No.1, pp 436-442, Jan-Mar 2010 EVALUATION OF MUCILAGE OF CAESALPINIA PULCHERRIMA AS BINDER FOR TABLETS R. SENTHIL SELVI 1* , S. GOPALAKRISHANAN 2 , M. RAMAJAYAM 1 , RAHUL SOMAN 1 1 J.K.K.NATARAJA COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICS, DR.M.G.R UNIVERSITY, KOMARAPALAYAM. INDIA. 638183. 2 SRIPM COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICS, DR.M.G.R UNIVERSITY, COIMBATORE . INDIA. 641024 *Corres.author: drrselvi@yahoo.com Fax +91 04288 265793 Phone no +91 09443907399 ABSTRACT:Water soluble mucilage was isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Euphorbiaceae). The physical Characteristics of the gum such as solubility, swelling index, loss on drying, PH, viscosity and microbiological properties were studied. The gum was found take non-toxic when evaluated for acute toxicity in mile [LD 50 >5 gm/kg body weight P.O]. The mucilage was evaluated for their granulating and binding properties in tablets, using Diclofenac Sodium as model drug. The mucilage were used at 4 different concentrations viz. 4,6,8 and 10% w/w. Wet granulation techniques was used for preparation of granules. The prepared granules were evaluated for % fines, average particle size, Bulk density and Angle of repose. These properties were compared with starch, which was used as a standard binder at 10% concentration. The tablets were punched by using a cadmach single punch machine and were evaluated for weight variation, Hardness, friability and Disintegration time. The Caesalpinia pulcherrima mucilage was found to possess excellent binding property and could be used as a binder in conventional tablet formulation. KEY WORDS: Caesalpinia pulcherrima, mucilage, Binder. INTRODUCTION Binders are agents used to impart cohesive qualities to the powdered material during the production of tablets. They impart cohesiveness to the tablet formulation, which ensures that the tablet remains intact after compression as well as improving the free flowing quality 1 . Mucilages are most commonly used adjuvant in pharmaceutical preparations. They possess a variety of pharmaceutical properties, which include binding, disintegrating, suspending, emulsifying and sustaining properties 2 . Natural mucilage are preferred over semi-synthetic and synthetic materials due to their non-toxic, low cost, free availability, emollient and non-irritating nature 3 . The present study deals with the isolation of the gum from the seeds at Caesalpinia pulcherrima and its application as binding agent in tablet formulation. The binding properties of this gum were compared with starch which was used as a standard binder at 10% concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS The plant seeds of Caesalpinia pulcherrima were collected from surrounding area of Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, India. The collected plant was authenticated by Botanical survey of India, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, Diclofenac sodium was obtained from Microlabs, Houser, as a gifted sample, Lactose obtained from Moly chem, Mumbai. All other materials used in the study were of analytical grade. ISOLATION OF MUCILAGE The seeds of Caesalpinia pulcherrima were soaked in distilled water for 24 hours, boiled for 1 hour and kept aside for 2 hours to release mucilage in to water. The material was squeezed in a muslin bag to remove the marc from the filtrate. Then, equal volume of acetone