FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC TABLETS UTILIZING MUCILAGE EXTRACTED FROM PLANTS REPORTEDLY HAVING ANTI DIABETIC ACTIVITY

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that characterized by hyperglycemia, glycomeia and hyperlipidemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the oral hypoglycemic tablets using natural mucilage extracted from okra pod. Natural polymers are economic, easily available and found useful as tablet binder. They also contain anti-nutrient content which help in controlling blood sugar level. The aqueous extract of okra pod was precipitated using ethanol. The precipitate was dried and stored in desiccators for further phytochemicals screening. Glipizide is a first third generation sulphonylurea agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The binder concentrations used in the formulation were 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2 & 2.5 % w/w. The granules were evaluated for bulk density, tapped density, angle of repose. The tablets were subjected to physicochemical studies thickness, friability, weight variation, hardness, in vitro dissolution study. Diabetes was induced by single intra peritoneal injection of freshly prepared solution of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg) and blood glucose level was monitored for 28 days. The optimized formulation reduces blood sugar significantly in STZ induced diabetic rats in comparison to standard drug (Glipizide).This study has demonstrated that mucilage of okra pod can be used for formulation of glipizide tablets. Keywords: Okra pod, mucilage, Glipizide, tablets, antidiabetic activity