Odina

Abstract: Gum odina and various parts of the plant Odina wodier are traditionally used in Indian folk me- dicine. Here an effort was made to investigate the efficacy of gum odina as new pharmaceutical excipients, in particular, as an emulsifying agent. Primary emulsion was prepared using wet gum method taking oil: water: gum (4:2:1) with gum acacia powder as an emulsifying agent. This was used as a standard control formulation. In case of experimental emulsions the primary emulsion was prepared by same wet gum technique taking oil: water: gum (4:2:0.5) (gum content was just a half of gum acacia) by using gum odina powder as an emulsifier. The gum odina as emulsifying agent provided a stable emulsion at a very low concentration as compared to the amount required for other con- ventional natural emulsifying agents. Stability studies of the emulsion were made as per the ICH guideline to study thermal stability, photo- sensitivity, pH related stability and stability in presence of oxygen. The emulsion type was identified by staining techniques (dye test by using Sudan III) as o/w type preparation without creaming or cracking even after long storage for 24 months at 25°C. It was found that the emulsion containing gum odina produced more stable emulsion at a much lower amount as compared to the emulsion stabilized by gum acacia.

Abstract: The use of prebiotics to escalate certain gut flora is a current aspect of research for effective gut ecology. In the present study we appraise the efficacy of gum odina obtained from the bark of Odina wodier (Anacardiaceae), which is not fully degraded (16%) in the upper GI tract and becomes available to the lower region, as a prebiotic. An in vitro prebiotic activity assay established a quantitative score to describe the extent to which gum odina supports the selective growth of probiotics with a maximum of 5.60 ± 0.11 for Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 6160. The polysaccharide, upon fermentation, also liberates lactic acid (0.46 ± 0.003 mg ml(-1)) and acetic acid (1.03 ± 0.003 mg ml(-1)). In vivo studies revealed that natural gum selectively stimulates Lactobacillus sp., and eliminates enteric pathogens with a C.F.U. of 384.48 ± 0.11 and 40.56 ± 0.17 respectively on the 8(th) day. The changes in the level of β-galactosidase signify maturation of macrophages in the gut environment. It also boosts the immune system by increasing sIgA upon infection from the 5(th) day in the gut, when incorporated into the feed of mice. Moreover an increase in levels of IFNγ on the 5(th) day also manifest additional protection against various pathogen-induced primary and secondary infections. Thus, gum odina is a potential prebiotic which not only provides nutrition but also improves gut ecology.

Abstract: The objective of the study concerns the evaluation of gum Odina as a novel pharmaceutical aid for the development of tablet formulation. The tablet weight (850mg) and thickness (8mm) was kept constant. Paracetamol was used as reference drug. Wet granulation technique was used for the preparation of Paracetamol granules. The binder concentrations used in the formulation were 0.125%, 0.250%, and 0.375%. The prepared powder mixtures were subjected to both pre and post compression evaluation parameters including; IR spectroscopy, Micromeritics, tablet hardness, friability, disintegration time and in-vitro drug release. Compatibility of the drug with the gum was studied using FTIR. The results of micromeritics studies revealed that all formulations were good flowability. Tablet hardness and friability indicated good mechanical strength. In vitro dissolution studies indicated that the release of drug from tablet with 0.125% gum odina was 98.55% in 30 minute but release was delayed with 0.25% and 0.375% gum odina. It is concluded that the gum odina requires less amount as a tablet binder than starch with complying all parameters. Keywords : Gum Odina, Tablet binder, Paracetamol, Wet granulation, In-vitro drug release.