Wancheng Sittikijyothin

Use of seed gums from Tamarindus indica and Cassia fistula as controlled-release agents

Most seed gums have been widely used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetics, and food products because of their hydrophilic properties. Gums from Tamariudus indica and Cassia fistula seeds were chemically modified by carboxymethylation to improve their functionalities. The objective of the present study was to characterize  and evaluate crude and carboxymethylated gums from T. indica and C. fistula seeds to achieve the controlled-release of diclofenac sodium (DS) in matrix tablet form. Both crude and carboxymethylated gums were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the gums were successfully modified by carboxymethylation and that the modified gums were amorphous in structure and had better flow properties. The carboxymethylated gums from both plant seeds did not exhibit cytotoxicity at concentrations lower than 0.5 mg/ml. All gum samples used as polymeric controlled-release agents were formulated into DS matrix tablets. Hardness and thickness tests were conducted as in-process tests. Drug content estimation and in vitro drug release studies were carried out to evaluate the matrix tablets. Increasing the concentration of gums increased compression time and hardness while it reduced the thickness. Furthermore, the results fitted well with the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. Moreover, the DS tablets were found to release the drug by super case II transport (relaxation). In summary, the carboxymethylated gum from T. indica and C. fistula seeds is an excellent, naturally sourced gum with high physicochemical and functional qualities, and can potentially be used in pharmaceutical applications as a disintegrant, diluent, and drug release-controlling agent.

Design and characterization of clindamycin-loaded nanofiber patches composed of polyvinyl alcohol and tamarind seed gum and fabricated by electrohydrodynamic atomization

In this study, we developed a polymeric nanofiber patch (PNP) for topical disease treatment using electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA). The nanofibers were prepared using various concentrations of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and tamarind seed gum and loaded with clindamycin HCl as a model drug. The precursor polymer solutions were sprayed using the EHDA technique; the EHDA processing parameters were optimized to obtain blank and drug-loaded PNPs. The skin adherence, translucence, and ventilation properties of the prepared PNPs indicated that they are appropriate for topical application. The conductivity of the polymer solution increased with increasing PVA and clindamycin concentrations, and increasing the PVA concentration enhanced the solution viscosity. Based on scanning electron microscopy analysis, the PVA concentration had a pronounced effect on the morphology of the sprayed product. Nanofibers were fabricated successfully when the solution PVA concentration was 10%, 13%, or 15% (w/v). The applied voltage significantly affected the diameters of the prepared nanofibers, and the minimum nanofiber diameter was 163.86 nm. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction analyses indicated that the model drug was dispersed in PVA in an amorphous form. The PNP prepared with a PVA:gum ratio of 9:1 absorbed water better than the PVA-only PNP and the PNP with a PVA:gum ratio of 9.5:0.5. Moreover, the PNPs loaded with clindamycin at concentrations of 1%–3% prohibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus more effectively than clindamycin gel, a commercially available product.

Development and characterization of seed gums from Tamarindus indica and Cassia fistula as disintegrating agent for fast disintegrating Thai cordial tablet

Crude seed gum and their carboxymethyl derivatives from Tamarindus indica and Cassia fistula seeds were developed and characterized to apply as the pharmaceutical disintegrant in fast disintegrating Thai cordial tablet. The chemical structure of crude gum was chemically modified via carboxymethylation. Degree of substitution (DS) of carboxymethylated gums was determined. Carboxymethylated gums with minimum and maximum DS values were chosen for further application. IR absorption spectra of gum samples were observed to verify their chemical structure changes. In physical properties, the intrinsic viscosity and swelling property of all gum samples were evaluated. The results showed that carboxymethylated gums had higher intrinsic viscosity than those of crude gum. Moreover, they could swell and be soluble in cold water better than those of crude gums. In conclusion, the modified gums from both plants could provide higher hardness and be better used than that crude gums for fast disintegrating Thai cordial tablet. However, this is a preliminary assessment to expressing pharmaceutical application possibility of these gums as disintegrants, diluents and drug release controlling agents.

Application of Tamarind Gum Thickener for Polyester Disperse Printing

Tamarind gums from different areas in Thailand (Uthaithani, Ang Thong, and Nakhon Sawan) as a thickening agent were used for printing on polyester fabric with disperse dye in comparison to the commercial tamarind gum from India as presently used in textile printing. All tamarind gum samples presented high polysaccharide and protein contents. The obtained results indicated that the properties as colour values, colour strength (K/S), overall fastness properties, handling, and sharpness of printed polyester fabric were good to very good levels. Only slight differences were observed between our tamarind gum samples and commercial one.

The Synergistic Activity of the Extracts from Mango and Tamarind Gum in Cotton Fabric Finishing

This study focused on the development of antibacterial cotton fabric using natural bioactive agent as the extracts from mango (Mangifera indica L) seed. The cotton fabrics have been treated with the extracts from mango seed. Moreover, the tamarind gum from Tamarind indica seed was used as an alternative natural mordant and compared with general chemical mordants (alum and ferrous sulfate) in order to search for eco-friendly process. Treated fabrics were tested for antimicrobial activities against Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative rods. We have found that in terms of antibacterial activity, the treated fabrics combined with natural mordant were more effective against both tested bacteria. From the results, the tamarind gum could provide the synergic antibacterial activity when applied with the extracts from mango seed and obviously used as substitutes for toxic textile chemicals.

Observation of Tamarind Gum Solubility in Aqueous Solution from Turbidity Measurement Technique

Tamarind gum obtains from the endosperm of tamarind seed. Polysaccharide is the main component as about 78.85%. It consists of three types of monosaccharide as glucose, xylose and galactose. Since it is a hydrocolloid that give viscous solution in aqueous. The objective of this work is to observe the solubility of tamarind gum at room temperature by simple turbidity measurement of the solutions. The tamarind gum concentrations from 0.07 to 0.97wt% and two particle sized as <75 and 75-355 μm were interested variables. The relationship between the viscosity and solubility of the solution was investigated. We found that both turbidity and viscosity reached constant values at the same time. At this time, it could be noted that represented the saturated time of dissolution. For higher tamarind gum concentrations and with less particle size (<75 μm), the results showed that the saturated time of solubility appeared faster due to more specific area for dissolving and also the solubility rate increasing.

Viscoelastic Properties of Galactomannan Solutions

In this work, we deal with galactomannan from seeds of Cassia fistula. Galactomannan widely use to improve and develop the products in various industries. It is linear polysaccharide having a backbone of -14 linked D-mannose residues. To this chain, single alfa-D-galactose residues are linked by C-1 through a glycosidic bond to C-6 of mannose. The physicochemical and viscoelastic properties of galactomannan were here investigated. The results showed that the mannose to galactose ratios were 3.35 and 3.54 for crude and purified galactomannans, respectively, while their intrinsic viscosities at 20oC were 11.55 and 12.03 dl/g for crude and purified galactomannans, respectively. Then, the rheological properties of galactomannan solutions at different concentrations from 0.6 to 3.4 %wt were analyzed using a Haake Rheometer RS75, equipped with C35Ti sensor at 20oC. The frequency sweeps for galactomannan solutions show the typical shape for macromolecular solutions. The cross-over frequency decreased as galactomannan concentration increased.