Standardization and Development of Spray-Dried Chewable Tablets From the Traditional Thai Remedy "Ya-Tard Aob-Choei": HPLC Analysis and Comparison With Commercial Products.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The Thai traditional medicine "Ya-Tard Aob-Choei" (AC) is a polyherbal remedy used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Its traditional liquid dosage form has practical limitations, including inconsistent appearance and difficulties in handling and transportation. This study aimed to develop a chewable dosage form of AC with satisfactory physicochemical properties and to evaluate the retention of selected marker compounds, including gallic acid (GA), cinnamaldehyde (CMD), eugenol (EUG), and glycyrrhizic acid (GZ).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Formulation studies were conducted to identify suitable excipients for the preparation of AC powder and chewable tablets, and the resulting formulations were evaluated for their physicochemical properties. A validated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to determine the selected marker compounds and compare the phytochemical profile of the developed formulation with liquid AC preparations, including a self-prepared reference formulation and commercially available products.

RESULTS

The formulation containing maltodextrin DE 18 at an extract-to-carrier ratio of 1:2 exhibited optimal powder characteristics for tablet production, and isomalt was identified as an effective diluent-binder for the preparation of chewable tablets with satisfactory physicochemical properties. HPLC analysis revealed compound-specific changes during conversion from the liquid-to-solid dosage form. GA was relatively well preserved (5.25 mg/dose), whereas EUG, CMD, and GZ decreased by approximately 99%, 35%, and 33%, respectively, compared with the self-prepared liquid formulation (P7).

CONCLUSION

A chewable AC tablet with satisfactory physicochemical properties was developed; however, conversion to the solid dosage form resulted in compound-specific losses, particularly of EUG. Further process optimization is required to improve the retention of volatile and heat-sensitive constituents. This formulation approach may nevertheless offer a pragmatic strategy for the development and standardization of other traditional Thai herbal medicines, although dedicated stability and sensory studies are needed to establish product stability and acceptability.