Preliminary evaluation of Sesbania seed gum mucilage as gelling agent.

The mucilage from the endosperm of Sesbania grandiflora seeds (Family Leguminosae) was extracted by multiple maceration technique using water as solvent that, yield a high proportions of (33%) of mucilage. Such mucilage when mixed with water, a protective and soothing preparation results. The objective of the present work is to study the Sesbania gum mucilage as gelling agent. To study the gelling properties, gels were prepared using Diclofenac diethyl ammonium (DD) as model drug. Six batches of drug loaded gels with concentration of mucilage corresponding to 2.0,2.25,2.5,2.75,3.0 and 3.5%w/w were formulated by using glycerin as wetting agent and thiomersol as preservative. The prepared gels were evaluated for DD content, pH, rheological studies such as viscosity and extrudability, in vitro diffusion profile and stability studies. The gel prepared with 2.5% of Sesbania gum mucilage showed desired gel characteristics with better drug release profile when compared with marketed formulation. Stability study revealed that the gel formulations were physically stable and has no syneresis.