Research on classification of natural plant products and critical factors affecting tablet disintegration properties based on texture analyzer

The complex physical properties of natural plant products (NPPs) greatly influence the disintegration of NPP tablets, and the evaluation of their disintegration properties is generally overlooked. To solve this problem, the study aimed to reveal the disintegration behavior of NPP tablets by the stress relaxation method of texture analyzer and investigate the key attributes affecting the disintegration of NPPs. 24 types of NPPs were systematically evaluated and divided into 3 kinds of groups: expansive NPPs, dissolved NPPs, and disintegrating NPPs. The disintegration characteristics of each group were significantly different. 9 kinds of characteristic parameters of disintegration kinetics of NPP tablets were used to analyze in detail. The results of Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that there was a strong correlation between the fundamental properties of powders and the disintegration kinetics of tablets. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the validity of the classification method. Additionally, the medicament portions and texture characteristics of NPPs are the key factors influencing tablet disintegration. The disintegration of NPPs may also be affected by the dissolution. Thus, the disintegration behavior of NPP tablets was investigated and the factors influencing disintegration were revealed. (c) 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Society of Powder Technology Japan.