Exploration of Cassia fistula L. seed mucilage as a natural biopolymer

Cassia fistula L. reported to be used as a source of human food and nutrition. Objective of the present study was to explore Cassia fistula L. seed mucilage as a natural polymer into controlled release floating drug delivery system. Firstly, Cassia fistula L. seed mucilage was extracted and evaluated for phytochemical screening, solubility studies, swelling index, viscosity and surface tension. Then, Atenolol floating systems were prepared with and without the Cassia fistula L. seed mucilage by direct compression method. Phytochemical screening resulted the presence of secondary metabolite carbohydrate in good amount. Results of hardness, friability, drug content and swelling index were satisfactory. The floating behaviour can increase the gastric residence time and eventually improve the bioavailability of the drug as evidenced from in vitro buoyancy and dissolution studies. Interestingly, developed floating system showed remarkable increase in dissolution. Conclusively, the results suggest that developed Atenolol floating system with Cassia fistula L. seed mucilage demonstrate interesting attributes to be explored for potential biomedical and industrial application.

Audience Take Away Notes:

• Present study will fill the gap of industrial applications of natural-based medicinal application, which is a current need of modern therapeutics
• This research could use to expand other faculty’s research or teaching
• Continuous research progress on natural polymer will promote the discovery towards the new biomedical applications