Formulation and Evaluation of Gels from Gum of Cissus refescence

The present study was undertaken with an objective to find out the gelling potentials of a natural gum obtained from plant Cissus refescence. Gum extracted from Cissus refescence were subjected to toxicity studies for its safety and preformulation studies for its suitability as a gelling agent. The gum was extracted by using water as solvent and precipitated using acetone as non-solvent. Physico-chemical characteristics such as solubility, ash values, Precompression parameters, swelling index, loss on drying and pH were studied. In the present study eight batches of Diclofenac gels were prepared with different concentration of mucilage (viz; 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0). The gels were evaluated for drug content, viscosity, in vitro permeation (across dialysis membrane), skin irritation and stability tests. The gels prepared with 7.0% of mucilage were found to be ideal and comparable with a commercial preparation. The prepared gels did not produce any dermatological reactions and were well tolerated by the guinea pig. The gels were found to be stable with respect to viscosity, drug content and physical appearance at all temperature conditions for 3 months. The drug release data fit well to the Higuchi and Korsmeyer's and Peppas model. Drug release mechanism was found as diffusion controlled.