Formulation and mechanistic insights into Aegle marmelos effervescent tablets: Network pharmacology and experimental prediction in cancer cells

Effervescent tablets enhance the delivery and acceptability of herbal formulations by improving stability, palatability, and bioavailability. In this study, Aegle marmelos ( A. marmelos ) dried leaf powder was formulated into effervescent tablets with ascorbic acid, zinc, and conventional excipients, and evaluated for pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential. Pre- and post-compression studies confirmed favorable micromeritic properties (Hausner ratio 1.15 ± 0.02; Carr’s index 12.79 ± 1.43%) and compliance with pharmacopoeial specifications, including hardness (4.87 ± 0.09 kg/cm 2 ), friability (<1%), pH (6.52 ± 0.05), moisture content (8.27 ± 0.63%), and rapid disintegration (195.3 ± 5.5 s). Network pharmacology identified key cancer-related targets (TNF, AKT1, EGFR, CASP3, MAPK3, HIF1A) linked to apoptosis and PI3K/AKT-MAPK pathways. Experimental prediction using the MTT assay in MCF-7 breast cancer cells revealed dose-dependent cytotoxicity with an IC 50 of ∼200 μg/mL. The dual contribution of ascorbic acid and zinc provided synergistic antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and stability benefits. Taken together, these results suggest that A. marmelos effervescent tablets are feasible to formulate and may hold biological relevance, though further in vivo and mechanistic work is needed to confirm any functional or therapeutic benefit.