Abstract
The present study was aimed at the formulation and evaluation of polyherbal oral dispersible tablets for relief from menstrual cramps. The formulation was prepared using natural herbal ingredients such as ginger powder, fennel powder, and turmeric powder, which are traditionally known for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. Mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, talc, and magnesium stearate were used as excipients for tablet preparation by direct compression method. The prepared powder blend was evaluated for pre-compression parameters including angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index, and Hausner ratio, which indicated good flow properties. The compressed tablets were further evaluated for physical appearance, weight variation, hardness, friability, wetting time, disintegration time, and in-vitro drug release. The formulated tablets showed acceptable hardness, low friability, rapid disintegration, and satisfactory drug release characteristics. The study demonstrated that the polyherbal oral dispersible tablets can provide quick onset of action and improved patient compliance. The synergistic effect of herbal ingredients may help in reducing menstrual pain naturally with minimal side effects. The formulation was found to be stable and suitable for oral administration.
Introduction
Menstrual disorders are among the most common health problems experienced by women during their reproductive years. Dysmenorrhea, commonly referred to as menstrual cramps, is characterized by severe pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. The pain may also extend to the lower back and thighs and is often associated with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, and mood disturbances. Dysmenorrhea is generally classified into primary dysmenorrhea, which occurs without pelvic pathology, and secondary dysmenorrhea, which is associated with gynecological disorders such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or uterine fibroids.
Primary dysmenorrhea mainly occurs due to excessive production of prostaglandins in the endometrial lining during menstruation. Increased prostaglandin levels stimulate strong uterine muscle contractions, resulting in reduced blood flow to uterine tissues and causing ischemic pain. This condition affects a large percentage of adolescent girls and women worldwide and significantly interferes with educational performance, work productivity, social activities, and emotional well-being.
Conventional therapies for menstrual cramps include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, and hormonal contraceptives. Although these treatments are effective in reducing pain, prolonged or excessive use may produce adverse effects such as gastric irritation, peptic ulcer, nausea, kidney dysfunction, dizziness, and hormonal imbalance. Therefore, there is growing interest in herbal medicines and natural products as safer alternatives for the management of dysmenorrhea.
Herbal medicines have been used in traditional systems of medicine for centuries due to their therapeutic efficacy and minimal side effects. Polyherbal formulations combine multiple medicinal plants to produce synergistic therapeutic action. In the present study, ginger, fennel, and turmeric were selected based on their traditional use and pharmacological properties related to menstrual pain management.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) contains active constituents such as gingerols and shogaols that exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, and antiemetic activities. Ginger inhibits cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways, thereby reducing prostaglandin synthesis and uterine contractions. It is widely used for relieving menstrual pain, nausea, and inflammation.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a medicinal herb known for its antispasmodic and carminative properties. Fennel contains volatile oils such as anethole, which help relax smooth muscles and reduce uterine spasms. It also improves digestion and reduces bloating commonly associated with menstruation.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) contains curcumin, a biologically active compound possessing strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Curcumin inhibits inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress, thereby reducing pain and inflammation during menstruation. Turmeric also supports overall reproductive health.
The oral route remains the most preferred method for drug administration because of its convenience, safety, and patient acceptance. Among oral dosage forms, oral dispersible tablets (ODTs) have gained considerable attention due to their rapid disintegration in saliva without the need for water. These tablets dissolve quickly in the oral cavity, resulting in faster drug release and improved bioavailability. ODTs are especially useful for patients who experience difficulty swallowing conventional tablets and provide improved compliance due to ease of administration.
Oral dispersible tablets also offer several pharmaceutical advantages including rapid onset of action, accurate dosing, portability, stability, and better patient convenience. The use of herbal ingredients in ODT formulation combines the benefits of natural therapy with advanced drug delivery technology.
In the present research work, polyherbal oral dispersible menstrual cramp relief tablets were formulated using ginger powder, fennel powder, and turmeric powder by direct compression technique. Mannitol was incorporated as a diluent and sweetening agent to improve mouth feel, while microcrystalline cellulose acted as a binder and filler. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose was used to enhance tablet integrity and disintegration properties. Talc and magnesium stearate were added as glidant and lubricant respectively.
The prepared formulation was evaluated for pre-compression parameters such as angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index, and Hausner ratio to determine powder flow characteristics. Post-compression parameters including hardness, thickness, friability, weight variation, wetting time, disintegration time, and drug release study were also evaluated to assess tablet quality and performance.
The aim of this study was to develop a safe, effective, and patient-friendly herbal oral dispersible tablet capable of providing rapid relief from menstrual cramps with minimal side effects. The formulation may serve as a promising natural alternative to synthetic analgesics for the management of dysmenorrhea.
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Materials
Ginger powder, fennel powder, turmeric powder, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, talc, magnesium stearate, distilled water, phosphate buffer solution, and hydrochloric acid were used in the formulation of polyherbal oral dispersible menstrual cramp relief tablets.
Kalyani Shripat Giram*, Waghchaure Akshda G., Formulation And Evaluation Of Poly- Herbal Oral Dispersible Menstrual Cram Relief Tablet, Int. J. Sci. R. Tech., 2026, 3 (5), 1147-1157. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20454327
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