Enabling direct compression of formulated Danshen powder by surface engineering

• Dry coating of Fufang Danshen with nano-sized silica can be achieved by comilling
• Silica coating profoundly improves powder flowability
• Silica coating also improves powder tabletability
• The engineered Fufang Danshen powder is suitable for direct compression

The direct compression (DC) technology is increasingly popular in the manufacture of tablets due to its efficiency and economy. However, its use in the production of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tablets is often limited owing to poor powder flow and compaction properties of TCM powders. In this work, we aimed at improving properties of powders used in Fufang Danshen tablet, a popular TCM for treating angina pectoris, by particle surface engineering. Both the active ingredients (Danshen root, Notoginseng, and Borneol) and formulated Danshen mixture exhibit flowability too poor to be processed directly on a high speed tablet press. By dry coating with 1% silica nanoparticles, the flowability, tabletability, and fillability of these powders were adequately improved to be suitable for DC.

Dry coating with 1% silica nanoparticles enables the manufacturing of Fufang Danshen tablets, a popular Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), using a direct compression process. The ability to significantly improve flowability, tabletability, and fillability of both the individual active ingredients and formulated Danshen powder makes this particle engineering strategy a promising tool to the modernization of TCM products.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide