title: Isolation, characterization, and evaluation of Cassia fistula Linn. seed and pulp polymer for pharmaceutical application.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Present work, is an effort toward exploring the potential of Cassia fistula Linn. seed gum as an extended release polymer and laxative. While, C. fistula pulp polymer has evaluated as suspending agent.
  
  
  METHODS
  For extended release application, total five batches (F1-F5) were prepared by varying the ratio of drug:polymer as 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, and 1:5, respectively. The granules were prepared by wet granulation method and further evaluated for micromeritic properties such as angle of repose (θ), Carr's compressibility index (CCI), and Hausner's ratio. Further compacts were evaluated by hardness, thickness, swelling index, in-vitro dissolution, and so on. Laxative activity was evaluated by administration of seed polymer (100 mg/kg) alone or in combination with bisacodyl (2.5 mg/kg) in 1% Tween 80. Zinc oxide suspension was prepared by varying the concentration of C. fistula pulp polymer and compared with suspension made by use of tragacanth, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and bentonite.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Result showed that granules were free flowing, while the compact extended the drug release up to 10 h (72.84 ± 0.98; batch F5) and followed Higuchi matrix release kinetics. This extended release might be due to the formation of polyelectrolyte complex because of gluco-mannose in seed gum. Result of in-vivo laxative activity showed that seed polymer reduced faeces weight after 24 h compared to control (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pulp polymer showed good sedimentation volume, but alone fails to stabilize the suspension for a longer period, so it could be useful in combination with other suspending agents and can be useful as novel excipient.
authors.affiliation: Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Suresh G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Killedar
authors.affiliation: Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Ashwini B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Nale
authors.affiliation: Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Harinath N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: More
authors.affiliation: Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sameer J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nadaf
authors.affiliation: Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Anuja A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Pawar
authors.affiliation: Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Umarfarukh S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Tamboli
keywords: Diclofenac sodium; extended release; laxative; suspending agent; swelling index