Evaluation of Cissus Vitiginea (kundupirandai) Mucilage as Suspending Agent

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the mucilage isolated from Cissus vitiginea, commonly known as ‘Virginia snakeroot’ (FamilyVitaceae) as an innovative suspending agent. The purpose of this study is to search for a natural excipient which is cost effective that can be used as an alternative for the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. Characterization studies like solubility, swelling index, loss on drying, ash value, pH, viscosity along with microbial load and acute toxicity studies were carried out on the mucilage. Aluminium hydroxide gel suspension was prepared using different concentration of Cissus vitiginea mucilage and its properties were compared with standard suspending agents like sodium carboxymethylcellulose and Acacia. The evaluation parameters included the sedimentation profile, redispersability, rheology and particle size analysis. The results suggested that the mucilage was found to be a superior suspending agent than acacia indicating that it may be a good source as pharmaceutical adjuvant.