NATURAL GUM-BASED MATRIX TABLETS FOR SUSTAINED RELEASE OF LEVOSULPIRIDE AND ALPRAZOLAM: FORMULATION AND EVALUATION

Natural plant-derived gums, being renewable and biocompatible, present promising applications in pharmaceutical formulations. In this study, hydrophilic gums extracted from Velama, Rekka, and Mardi plants were characterized for their potential in sustained-release tablet formulations. The extracted gums demonstrated sufficient yield and favorable physicochemical properties, including low moisture content and near-neutral pH, indicating suitability for moisture-sensitive drugs and reduced irritation. Micromeritic analyses confirmed satisfactory flow properties, and Preformulation and post-compression evaluations revealed excellent compatibility, mechanical strength, and stability under accelerated conditions. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated controlled drug release profiles, with Velama and Mardi gums showing superior matrix-forming capabilities compared to Rekka gum. This study highlights the efficacy of natural polymers in enhancing drug release efficiency, dosing accuracy, and patient compliance in pharmaceutical applications. Key words: Levosulpiride, Alprazolam, Velama, Rekka, Mardi, Sustaied release tablet