Valorization of <i>Musa paradisiaca</i> Pseudo Stem Biomass-Based Matrix Co-Excipient in ExtendedRelease Diclofenac Sodium Tablets

Abstract

Background: The valorization of agricultural biomass into pharmaceutical excipients offers a sustainable approach to developing functional materials while reducing biomass waste. Musa paradisiaca pseudo stem is a cellulose-rich agricultural residue with potential application as a pharmaceutical matrix material. Incorporation of a hydrophobic excipient such as carnauba wax may further modify its drug-release properties.

Objective: This study investigated the preparation, physicochemical characteristics, and in-vitro drug-release behaviour of extended-release diclofenac sodium tablets formulated with co-processed Musa paradisiaca pseudostem cellulose-carnauba wax as a matrix co-excipient.

Methods: Modified Musa paradisiaca pseudo stem cellulose (MMPP cellulose) was extracted with a yield of 48.04% and co-processed with varying concentrations of carnauba wax to produce formulation batches A-G. The resulting materials were evaluated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), micromeritic and compaction assessments, while the formulated tablets were evaluated for relevant post-compression properties and in-vitro dissolution behaviour over 12 h using USP apparatus II in an acidic dissolution medium. Drug-release data were further analysed using appropriate mathematical kinetic models.

Results: FTIR spectra of MMPP cellulose, diclofenac sodium, and their physical mixtures showed retention of the characteristic absorption bands of the individual components, with no major spectral changes indicative of a detectable chemical interaction. The powder/granule formulations exhibited acceptable flow characteristics, with bulk density of 0.30–0.36 g/mL, Hausner ratios of 1.25–1.33, and angles of repose of 22.7–27.9°. The compressed tablets exhibited acceptable weight uniformity (0.351–0.378 g), crushing strength (6.68–7.84 kgf), and friability (0.14–0.52%). Increasing the proportion of carnauba wax was associated with a progressive increase in disintegration time from 2.37 min in Batch A to 3.37 min in Batch G and produced a measurable modification of diclofenac sodium release over the 12-h dissolution period.

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that co-processing MMPP cellulose with carnauba wax can produce a cellulose–wax excipient system capable of modifying the release behaviour of diclofenac sodium tablets. The results support the potential of Musa paradisiaca pseudostem cellulose as a biomass-derived pharmaceutical matrix material and provide evidence for the utility of carnauba wax in modulating its drug-release characteristics. Further structural and mechanistic studies would be required to establish the precise microstructural basis of the observed release behaviour.