Determination of the impact of the compression force by evaluating the mechanical and release properties of mesalazine tablets

Drug delivery to the targeted site of action in the human body is always affected by the excipients used and almost in the same manner by some processing variables like changes in the compression force. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the changes in compression forces during tablet manufacturing on the mechanical and release properties of mesalazine matrix tablets. For the mechanical properties, hardness and friability were used as assessment properties, while dissolution test was undertaken in order to ascertain the release properties. Data were analysed using One-way ANOVA at p < 0.05. The tablet hardness and friability were typically compression pressure-dependent with a significant difference in tablet hardness and friability with the increase in compression pressure (p < 0.001). The release properties of mesalazine tablets were not significantly influenced by compression pressure but rather by the polymer and the material properties of the drug.