Abstract
Mucilages are polysaccharide complexes formed from sugar and uronic acid units.
Mucilages form slimy masses in water, are typically heterogeneous in composition. The
objectives of present investigation were to evaluate Lepidium sativum mucilage as a
suspending agent, compare this with suspension prepared by using tragacanth as a
suspending agent and marketed paracetamol suspension (Calpol 120 mg/ 5 ml), and study
the effect of mucilage concentration on in vitro dissolution rate of paracetamol. Suspensions
were prepared by using compound tragacanth powder and mucilage in different
concentrations (1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3% w/v). Suspensions were evaluated for pH,
sedimentation volume (F), redispersion, In vitro dissolution study and stability study. The
dried and coarsely powdered seeds of Lepidium Sativum yielded high percentage (30%
w/w) of dried mucilage. All formulations showed more than 80% drug release over a period
of 30 minutes. The suspensions were found to be stable during the study periods. There was
no any change in color, odor and taste was observed. The drug content in all the
suspensions was found to be within the limit.
