In the present study comparisons of natural and synthetic superdisintegrants were performed. The purpose of this study was to develop a dosage form that was easy to administer and provides rapid release of the drug Fexofenadine HCL using Treated agar and modified treated agar (cogrinded agar) as rapidly disintegrating excipients. Modified co-grinded treated agar (C-TAG) was prepared by subjecting pure polysaccharides namely agar to sequential processes of wetting, drying and co grinding with mannitol (1:1). Their disintegrating and physiochemical properties were evaluated and compared with synthetic superdisintegrant Crosspovidone. The modified polysaccharide was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy and evaluated for particle size distribution, derived properties, swelling index and biodegradability. The orally disintegrating Tablets (ODT) were prepared by direct compression method using microcrystalline cellulose and Mannitol as direct compressible vehicle. These tablets were evaluated for quality control tests like Organoleptic characteristics, weight variation, hardness, friability, in-vitro disintegration time, in-vitro swelling time, drug content and dissolution behavior. Among all the superdisintegrants, Modified co-grinded treated agar showed the highest swelling index. Hence, the present study revealed that this natural superdisintegrants (Modified co-grinded treated agar) showed similar disintegrating property than the most widely used synthetic superdisintegrants in the formulations of ODT.
