ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF CHONEMORPHA FRAGRANS AND ERYTHROXYLUM MONOGYNUM COMBINED ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity of herbal formulation containing Chonemorpha fragrans and Erythroxylum monogynum in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus is a group of syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia, altered metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins and an increased risk of complications from vascular diseases. Hyperlipidemia constitutes a major etiopathological factor for atherosclerosis. The preliminary phytochemical screening shows the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, sterols, phenols and proteins. The antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effect of combined herbal formulation was studied in alloxan (150mg/kg b.w., i.p.) induced diabetes in wistar rats for doses 200 mg/kg b.w. and 400 mg/kg b.w. (p.o.) daily for 21 days, and the effect was compared with oral dose of 5mg/kg, b.w. glibenclamide. The effect of ethanolic leaf extracts of Chonemorpha fragrans and Erythroxylum monogynum on blood glucose, serum lipid profile total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were measured in the diabetic rats. Diabetes caused by alloxan treatment increases the level of glucose and biochemical parameters in blood sample but treatment with combined herbal formulation, protects from diabetes and significantly decreases the elevated blood glucose, LDL, VLDL levels, total cholesterol levels and total triglycerides levels & increases the HDL levels. In conclusion the present study indicates that the combined ethanolic leaf extracts of plants Chonemorpha fragrans and Erythroxylum monogynum possesses significant antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats

STATISTICAL DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A LIQUID ORAL FLOATING IN SITU GEL OF METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE FOR SUSTAINED RELEASE: PHARMACODYNAMIC AND TOXICITY (HISTOPATHOLOGY) STUDIES

Objective: To statistically design, optimize and evaluate a liquid oral, floating in situ gel of metformin hydrochloride (MH) to increase the gastric residence time (the absorption window being the upper part of the duodenum), sustain and modulate the release behavior of the drug. No liquid oral SR formulations of MH are yet available in the market. Methods: A simple mixing based ionic cross-linking method was used for the formulation. A Two-square Factorial Design was employed and the effect of sodium alginate and three categorical levels of HPMC (K4M, K100M, E50) on the response variables were studied. Results: The optimized formulation gelled instantaneously in simulated gastric fluid and showed>24 h floating. The drug release in 1h was 37.98 %, followed by a moderate sustained release for 12 h. Pharmacodynamic studies showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels in Wistar rats. Short term preclinical safety studies revealed no toxicity to pancreatic tissues. On the contrary, faster regeneration of the β cells of the islets of Langerhans was observed with the group treated with the optimized formulation. Stability studies revealed a 2-year shelf life. Conclusion: An elegant, needle-free, in situ gelling, SR liquid oral of metformin hydrochloride could be developed with drug release modulated as per official specifications for SR formulations of MH. This would be an interesting alternative for geriatric patients who find it difficult to swallow bulky tablets

Preparation and Evaluation of Chewable Tablets of Syzygium cumini Seed Powder

Aim of this study is to develop chewable tablets of Syzygium cumini seed powder. It has been chosen to do so as there are no oral solid dosage forms of this seed powder developed so far. There are numerous health benefits and nutrient properties of this seed powder, thus it can be used as a nutraceutical. Phytochemical screening of the Syzygium cumini seed powder has been conducted and the various phyto constituents present were detected. Seven different formulations have been developed by direct compression method out of which five were optimized. All these formulations were developed with Syzygium cumini seed powder as the active ingredient and lactose, acacia, glucose, talc, magnesium stearate, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, sodium alginate, guar gum and stevia were used as excipients. Various evaluations tests were performed to check the stability of the chewable tablets. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was conducted to check the interactions among the seed powder and the excipients. Anti-bacterial activity of the chewable tablets was tested against three different species of bacteria (Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis) by agar diffusion method. It is concluded that the Syzygium cumini seed powder and the developed chewable tablets were active against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.     Keywords: Syzygium cumini, Chewable tablet, anti-bacterial activit