Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Tablets From Detoxified Leaves of Calotropis Gigantea Linn for Management of Digestive Problems

Background: Calotropis gigantea Linn. (Family: Apocynaceae) is a widely documented medicinal plant with established anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and gastroprotective properties. Its application in conventional tablet dosage form remains largely unexplored, primarily due to the presence of cardiotoxic cardenolide glycosides. Objective: This study aimed to formulate and evaluate herbal tablets from detoxified Calotropis gigantea leaf powder for the management of digestive disorders including hyperacidity, dyspepsia, and peptic ulcers. Methods: The leaves were subjected to toxicological detoxification via the Ayurvedic Shodhana method (boiling followed by buttermilk soaking). Cardiac glycoside absence was confirmed through Liebermann-Buchardle's and Baljet's tests. Three tablet formulations (F1, F2, F3) were prepared by wet granulation using varying concentrations of HPMC as binder, magnesium stearate as lubricant, lactose and starch as fillers. Pre-compression parameters (angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr's index, Hausner's ratio) and post-compression parameters (weight variation, hardness, thickness, friability, disintegration, dissolution) were evaluated. Results: Formulation F3 with optimized HPMC (0.200 g), magnesium stearate (0.3075 g), and increased filler levels demonstrated the best results: angle of repose 27°, Carr's index 13%, Hausner's ratio 1.15, friability 0.30%, disintegration time 11 min 45 s, hardness 5.0 kg/cm², and 100% drug release at 30 minutes with an estimated bioavailability of 91.6%. Formulations F1 and F2 failed pharmacopoeial standards due to insufficient binder concentrations. Conclusion: Properly detoxified Calotropis gigantea leaf powder can be successfully formulated into a stable, safe, and therapeutically efficacious oral herbal tablet following optimization of excipient concentrations, offering significant potential for herbal pharmaceutical development.