PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF COMMIPHORA MUKUL FOR ANTIDEPRESSANT ACTIVITY IN ALBINO MICE

Objective: The main aim and objective of the present study is to investigate the effect of Commiphora mukul (Family: Burseraceae), on depression in mice using tail suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST).Methods: The oleo-gum resin of guggul was extracted with alcohol and fractionated with ethyl acetate and petroleum ether. All the fractions were subjected for preliminary phytochemical screening, using various qualitative tests. Till date, no scientific data were available on the antidepressant activity of this plant. So, in the present investigation, TST and FST are selected as animal models for evaluation of antidepressant activity in albino mice.Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening of guggul has revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, tannins, and flavonoids in hydroalcoholic fraction. Ethyl acetate fraction showed positive results toward flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins, and steroids. Hydroalcoholic, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether fractions (50 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) of guggul administered orally for 14 successive days had decreased the immobility periods significantly in a dose-dependent manner in both TST and FST, showing significant antidepressant-like activity. The activities of the fractions were found to be comparable to imipramine in both FST and TST.Conclusions: Although a number of synthetic drugs are being used as standard treatment for clinically depressed patient, they have adverse effects that can compromise the therapeutic treatment. In the traditional systems of medicine, many plants and formulations have been used to treat depression for thousands of years. The results of this study indicate the potential for the use of guggul as an adjuvant in the treatment of depression.Keywords: Guggul, Commiphora mukul, Antidepressant activity, Forced swim test, Tail suspension test, Depression

SOLUBILITY AND DISSOLUTION RATE ENHANCEMENT OF TELMISARTAN BY SOLID DISPERSION AND PELLETIZATION TECHNIQUES USING SOLUPLUS AS CARRIER

Objective: In the present investigation, an attempt was made to improve the surface characters and solubility of the drug by solid dispersion and coating it on the nonpareil sugar beads as pellets. Methods: Telmisartan solid dispersions were prepared by kneading method using soluplus. Crospovidone was added as disintegrant in pellets. Telmisartan pellets were prepared by dissolving soluplus and crospovidone in ethanol in different ratios and coated on nonpareil sugar beads as a drug layer by pan coating technique. Various physicochemical parameters like particle size, friability, angle of repose and drug content were evaluated for the prepared solid dispersions and pellet formulations. In vitro dissolution studies were carried out in pH 7.5 phosphate buffer using USP apparatus II. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Scanning Electron Microscopic analysis were performed for solid dispersions, pellet formulations and its polymers to determine the interactions and surface characteristics. Results: The physicochemical parameters were within the specified I. P limits. It was observed that the solid dispersion formulation TS5 containing 1:5 ratio of telmisartan to soluplus showed better dissolution rate to the extent of 1.143 folds and 2.033 folds when compared to a marketed formulation and the pure drug, respectively. Similarly, pellet formulation TP3 containing 1:3 ratio of telmisartan to soluplus showed an improved dissolution rate to the extent of 1.221 folds and 2.170 folds when compared to the marketed formulation and the pure drug, respectively. FTIR and DSC analysis revealed that there was no major interaction between the drug and the excipients.  Conclusion: From the present study, it was observed that the solubility of telmisartan was enhanced by soluplus in pellet formulations when compared to solid dispersions