A novel herbal formulation in the management of diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
Momordica charantia Linn. is traditionally used as a medicine for diabetes. The present investigation was aimed to formulate and evaluate transdermal patchesof Momordica charantia Linn.


METHODS
The transdermal films containing the herbal drug component fractionated fromethanolicextract of M. charantia fruits were prepared by using hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose as a polymer. The films were evaluated for folding endurance, thickness, weight variation, drug contents and in vitro diffusion studies and in vivo parameterslike acute and sub-acute antihyperglycemic activity in diabetic rats, biochemicalstudies, skin irritation in rats and stability studies.


CONCLUSIONS
The weightof transdermal patches of M. charantia (2 cm(2); 10 mg/patch) and was found to be 0.03 gm.Thickness of patches of M. charantia (2 cm(2); 10 mg/patch) was found to be satisfactory. The percentage release of active constituents from transdermal patches of M.charantia (2 cm(2); 10 mg/patch) was found to be 47.59% in 10% hydroalcoholic phosphate buffer pH 7.4 at the end of 6 h.The transdermal route exhibited negligible skin irritation and in vivo results revealed that the patches successfully decrease the blood glucose level.


CONCLUSIONS
From the results, we concluded that the well-known herbal drug M. charantia Linn. have been found to be effective for diabetes through modern pharmaceutical formulation techniques.
Padmashree Dr. D.Y.Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pimpri, Pune, India.
Santosh S
SS
Bhujbal
Sunita S
SS
Hadawale
Parag A
PA
Kulkarni
Jayant S
JS
Bidkar
Vidya A
VA
Thatte
Clarine A
CA
Providencia
Rupesh R
RR
Yeola