Goutam Thakur

Effect of flaxseed gum on reduction of blood glucose and cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients

The effects of ingestion of flaxseed gum on blood glucose and cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, in type 2 diabetes were evaluated. Flaxseed gum was incorporated in wheat flour chapattis. Sixty patients of type 2 diabetes were fed a daily diet for 3 months, along with six wheat flour chapattis containing flaxseed gum (5 g), as per the recommendations of the American Diabetic Association. The control group (60 individuals) consumed an identical diet but the chapattis were without gum. The blood biochemistry profiles monitored before starting the study and at monthly intervals showed fasting blood sugar in the experimental group decreased from 154±8 mg/dl to 136±7 mg/dl (P=0.03) while the total cholesterol reduced from 182±11 mg/dl to 163±9 mg/dl (P=0.03). Results showed a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol from 110±8 mg/dl to 92±9 mg/dl (P=0.02). The study demonstrated the efficacy of flax gum in the blood biochemistry profiles of type 2 diabetes.

Crosslinking of gelatin-based drug carriers by genipin induces changes in drug kinetic profiles in vitro

Hydrogels are extensively studied as carrier matrices for the controlled release of bioactive molecules. The aim of this study was to design gelatin-based hydrogels crosslinked with genipin and study the impact of crosslinking temperature (5, 15 or 25°C) on gel strength, microstructure, cytocompatibility, swelling and drug release. Gels crosslinked at 25°C exhibited the highest Flory–Rehner crosslink density, lowest swelling ratio and the slowest release of indomethacin (Idn, model anti-inflammatory drug). Diffusional exponents (n) indicated non-Fickian swelling kinetics while drug transport was anomalous. Hydrogel biocompatibility, in vitro cell viability, cell cycle experiments with AH-927 and HaCaT cell lines indicated normal cell proliferation without any effect on cell cycle. Overall, these results substantiated the use of genipin-crosslinked hydrogels as a viable carrier matrix for drug release applications.

Hydrogel-Based Controlled Release Formulations: Designing Considerations, Characterization Techniques and Applications

Hydrogels have evolved over the last decade as materials of choice in varied biomedical applications. This is associated with the inherent biocompatible nature of the hydrogels. The modulation of the properties of the hydrogels is easily possible due to the availability of polymers of varied chemistry and physical properties. This review discusses the pharmaceutical aspects of the controlled release of bioactive agents from hydrogel-based formulations.

Chitosan Based Delivery Systems on a Length Scale: Nano to Macro

In recent years, chitosan, a biocompatible natural polymer, having a cellulosic backbone has gained importance in various biomedical applications like wound healing, tissue engineering, surface modifications of implantable devices, and drug delivery. This may be attributed to the versatile chemistry of the polymer. Various chitosan-mediated delivery systems have been developed to improve the bioavailability of drug(s) and be categorized either as nanoparticulate, microparticulate, or macro delivery systems. All these delivery systems have their own advantages and limitation as a delivery vehicle. This review gives an overview of the chitosan-based drug delivery systems.

Gelatin-Based Emulsion Gels for Diffusion-Controlled Release Applications

Emulsion gels are now emerging as a new class of biomaterials for controlled-release applications. Novel food-grade emulsion gels consisting of indomethacin-loaded vegetable oil droplets dispersed within genipin-cross-linked gelatin-based hydrogels were characterized for their physical and drug-release properties. Varying the weight ratio of the aqueous and oil phases between 5:1 and 5:5 was used to modulate construct swelling and drug release. The dispersed oil droplets generally became larger, more polydispersed and aggregated with an increase in oil fraction. Cross-linking with genipin increased the puncture strength of the gels vs. their uncross-linked counterparts and was necessary to prevent breakdown. Swelling of the emulsion gels demonstrated Fickian behaviour at all gelatin: oil ratios. Indomethacin release followed Fickian diffusion at higher oil fractions only, demonstrating coupled Fickian and super-Case-II transport at lower oil ratios (5:1, 5:2 and 5:3). Overall, the introduction of a dispersed oil phase within a hydrogel was exploited for the release of hydrophobic bioactive compounds, with tailoring of composition used to significantly alter release kinetics.

Characterization and scanning electron microscopic investigation of crosslinked freeze dried gelatin matrices for study of drug diffusivity and release kinetics

Drug delivery is a promising technique to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the drug. However, properties of carrier materials require intense improvement for effective transport of drug molecules. In the current study, attempts have been made to develop freeze dried gelatin matrices cross linked with genipin at various temperatures (5°C, 15°C and 25°C) prior to freeze-drying (-80°C). The freeze dried matrices thus obtained at the said temperatures are characterized for crosslinking density, compression strength, swelling behaviors. The matrix crosslinked at 25°C showed highest Flory-Rehner crosslinking density (467 ± 46) (p<0.05), highest compressive strength (12.36 ± 0.12) (p<0.05) and lowest equilibrium water content. In this context, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to study the surface morphology (size and shape of pores) of the crosslinked matrices. These images were further processed for quantitative analysis of morphological features, viz., areas, radius, ferret diameter, length of major and minor axis and eccentricity using MATLAB toolboxes. These quantitative analyses correlate transport and the release kinetics of model anti-inflammatory drug (indomethacin) from crosslinked matrices in vitro to tune as a controllable delivery system. The diffusional exponent (n) for all constructs ranging from 0.61 to 0.69 (p<0.05) (0.45

Synthesis of Novel Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Acrylate— A Novel Superdisintegrating Agent for Pharmaceutical Applications

The current study deals with the synthesis of novel hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose acrylate (HPMCAA) by the process of esterification of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and acryloyl chloride. The polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and hemocompatibility studies. The microstructures of the HPMC and HPMCAA powders were studied under a scanning electron microscope. The powders were used as an excipient for the preparation of lactose tablets and their composition was varied from 2 to 8% (w/w) of the total tablet weight. Disintegration studies for the tablets were carried out. The results indicated formation of a new product, HPMCAA, having properties different from HPMC. HPMCAA was found to be hemocompatible in nature. Disintegration tests indicated that HPMCAA could be tried as a superdisintegrating agent.

Long‐term effects of a carbohydrate‐rich diet on fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and serum insulin values in rural Bengalis

Background:  The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes is increasing in rural areas of India, where there is also often a lack of health infrastructure. Thus, a proper dietary study with the view of combating diabetes is essential. The aim of the present study was to determine the long‐term effect of a carbohydrate‐rich diet in rural Bengal.

Characterization of oil-in-water gelatin emulsion gels: Effect of homogenization time

Oil-in-water emulsion gels consisting sunflower oil as the internal phase and a chemically-crosslinked gelatin solution as the continuous aqueous phase were developed. The dispersion was homogenized at 60°C in a high pressure valve homogenizer at a pressure of 5000/500psi for different time periods (2, 5 or 10 min). The homogenized samples were formed into films at 5oC followed by crosslinking with genipin at room temperature. The microstructure of the gels was studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed significant differences in the microstructure depending on homogenization time. Gel micrographs indicated a well-dispersed network of sunflower oil droplets in the gelatin matrix with a higher homogenization duration (10 min) while a less unorganized gel microstructure was evident at shorter homogenization times (2 and 5 min). Gels were also characterized using colourimetric analysis. Puncture tests of the gels were tested to establish their mechanical stability. The gels prepared with 10 min homogenization exhibited the highest puncture strength (0.23±0.20 MPa) (p&#60;0.05). These results demonstrated that gelatin gels homogenized for longer periods were more stable, thus expanding their range of possible biomedical applications.

Some Common Antidiabetic Plants of the Indian Subcontinent

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a clinical manifestation characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia, is often ascribed to either a defect in insulin secretion, insulin resistance or both. Ayurveda (Indian Traditional Medicinal System) have shown promising results in the treatment of diabetes using various plants and herbs with negligible side effects and cost effective treatment. However, only a limited number of these plants have been explored and scientifically validated for their hypoglycemic effect. This review highlights some of the plants being commonly used in India for their hypoglycaemic effects.