Objective: To formulate diclofenac sodium as fast dissolving tablets (FDTs) using fenugreek gum as a natural superdisintegrant which also possess anti-inflammatory activity.Methods:physicochemical characterizations. The swelling index and viscosity of fenugreek gum was 221% and 293.4 mpa.s respectively. FDTs of diclofenac sodium was formulated by direct compression technique using different concentrations (1%-6%, w/w) of fenugreek gum as a natural superdisintegrant and compared with renowned synthetic superdisintegrants like sodium starch glycolate and croscarmellose sodium. The anti-inflammatory activity of a formulation was evaluated with carrageenan induced experimental rats.Results:An attempt was made to extract the fenugreek gum and evaluated it for various friability, hardness and results complied with the limits. The drug release from all the formulations ascertained first order kinetics. Among all the formulations F3 containing fenugreek gum with the concentration of 6% produced least disintegrating time 21 seconds resulting in higher drug release rate 93.74% at the end of 25 min. Hence, it was considered as optimized formulation. The present study revealed that the fenugreek gum as a natural superdisintegrant showed better disintegrating property than the most widely used synthetic superdisintegrants like sodium starch glycolate and croscarmellose sodium in the formulations of FDTs. The formulated tablets were evaluated for various physical tests like weight variation, Conclusions: The results suggested that the fenugreek gum act as a good super disintegrating agent and it showed promising additive anti-inflammatory activity with diclofenac sodium.

OBJECTIVETo formulate diclofenac sodium as fast dissolving tablets (FDTs) using fenugreek gum as a natural superdisintegrant which also possess anti-inflammatory activity.

METHODSAn attempt was made to extract the fenugreek gum and evaluated it for various physicochemical characterizations. The swelling index and viscosity of fenugreek gum was 221% and 293.4 mpa.s respectively. FDTs of diclofenac sodium was formulated by direct compression technique using different concentrations (1%-6%, w/w) of fenugreek gum as a natural superdisintegrant and compared with renowned synthetic superdisintegrants like sodium starch glycolate and croscarmellose sodium. The anti-inflammatory activity of a formulation was evaluated with carrageenan induced experimental rats.

RESULTSThe formulated tablets were evaluated for various physical tests like weight variation, friability, hardness and results complied with the limits. The drug release from all the formulations ascertained first order kinetics. Among all the formulations F3 containing fenugreek gum with the concentration of 6% produced least disintegrating time 21 seconds resulting in higher drug release rate 93.74% at the end of 25 min. Hence, it was considered as optimized formulation. The present study revealed that the fenugreek gum as a natural superdisintegrant showed better disintegrating property than the most widely used synthetic superdisintegrants like sodium starch glycolate and croscarmellose sodium in the formulations of FDTs.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggested that the fenugreek gum act as a good super disintegrating agent and it showed promising additive anti-inflammatory activity with diclofenac sodium.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic constipation is commonly managed medically, and surgical options have been advocated in patients with refractory symptoms. We aimed to study the role of surgical procedures in patients with constipation, refractory to medical therapy. METHODS: Data on 34 surgically managed patients with refractory chronic constipation during a 6-year period (March 2003 to May 2009) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All the 34 patients (24 males and 10 females, median age of 45 years [range, 18-77 years]) had symptoms for a long period (median 96 months [range, 12-360 months]) without response to medical treatment including biofeedback. Preopertive investigations included barium enema, colonoscopy, colonic transit study, defecography and anorectal manometry as indicated. Eight patients (23.5%) had slow transit constipation, 4 (11.8%) had Hirschsprung's disease and 22 (64.7%) had rectal prolapse. Total colectomy and ileo-rectal anastomosis, anterior resection, Delorme's procedure, resection rectopexy and Duhamel's operation were the surgical procedures performed. Though 7 (20.6%) patients had post operative complications, there was no mortality. One patient whose symptoms recurred following anterior resection was successfully treated by total colectomy and ileo-rectal anastomosis. Median spontaneous bowel movements increased following surgical treatment compared to that while on medical treatment (1 per week [range, 0 to 3 per week] vs. 14 per week [range, 7-28 per week], P < 0.00001). Patients remained well during 3-60 months follow-up (n = 27). CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous bowel movements significantly increased following surgical operation for refractory chronic constipation, nature of which is dependent on underlying etiology and the expertise available. Careful preoperative work-up and selection of patients are critical for obtaining good functional results.
Barium ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Colectomy ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Constipation ; Defecography ; Enema ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hirschsprung Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Rectal Prolapse ; Retrospective Studies