Acute Toxicity Studies and Pharmaceutical Effectiveness of Biopolymer from Pulp of Lageneria siceraria

Abstract

The current study was aimed to isolate and characterize a novel mucoadhesive biopolymer from pulp of Lageneria siceraria. The biopolymer was isolated from the pulp of Lageneria siceraria and characterized for various physico-chemical properties and chemical tests like Molisch’s test, Fehling’s test, Biuret test, Ninhydrin test and iodine test. It contains high amount of dietary fibers and several vitamins, iron, calcium and magnesium etc. The isolated biopolymer was subjected to shear stress method for determining mucoadhesivity and MS mucoretentive method for determination mucoretaintability and was compared with standard polymers as HPMC and sodium CMC. The spectral analysis were performed and confirmed by IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry, Mass spectroscopy, SEM imaging and Elemental analysis for identification of isolated biopolymer. The single dose acute toxicity study of the biopolymer was performed on rats (Wistar rats, either sex, 200-250g) for two weeks. The isolated biopolymer revealed better mucoadhesive and mucoretentive property than HPMC and Sodium CMC. The results concluded that the isolated biopolymer of Lageneria siceraria was biocompatible biodegradable and possessed good mucoadhesivity and mucoretaintability.