β-Glucans are soluble fibers with physiological functions, such as, interference with absorption of sugars and reduction of serum lipid levels. β-glucans are found in different species, such as, Rhynchelytrum repens, Lentinus edodes, Grifola frondosa, Tremella mesenterica, Tremella aurantia, Zea may, Agaricus blazei, Phellinus baummi, Saccharomyces cerevisae (yeast), and Agaricus blazei murell (mushroom). Analysis of the fractions reveals the presence of arabinose, glucose, xylose, and traces of rhamnose and galactose. The presence of β-glucan in these fractions is confirmed by hydrolyzing the polymers with endo-β-glucanase from Bacillus subtilis, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the characteristic oligosaccharides produced. The 4 M KOH fractions from different tissues are subjected to gel permeation chromatography on Sepharose 4B, with separation of polysaccharides, with different degrees of polymerization, the highest molecular mass (above 2000 kDa) being found in young leaves. The molecular mass of the leaf blade polymers is similar (250 kDa) to that of the maize coleoptiles β-glucan used for comparison. The 4 M KOH fraction injected into rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes has shown hypoglycemic activity, reducing blood sugar to normal levels for approximately 24 hours. This performance is better than that obtained with pure β-glucan from barley, which decreases blood sugar levels for about four hours. These results suggest that the activity of β-glucans is responsible for the use of this plant extract as a hypoglycemic drug in folk medicine.

Owing to their varied bioactivities exhibited by Cassia fistula, efforts have been made from time to time to generate libraries of these isolated compounds and screen them for potential biological activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant Material The plant material (Leaves) of Cassia fistula was collected from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India in the month of January 2008. It was identified by NISCAIR, New Delhi, Ref. no. NISCAIR/RHMD/Consult/2008-09/1145/177. Leaves of Cassia fistula were dried in shade and reduced to coarse powder for extraction, isolation and characterization of chemical constituents.

Diluents are chemically inactive excipients, mostly used to make up the required bulk of solid dosage form and used up to 80% in a formulation. Various studies reported that diluents used in the solid dosage forms shows unwanted effects in body on long term and some time in short duration therapy. So, it is necessary to study the unwanted effects of diluents by researchers and production chemists before preparation of a pharmaceutical formulation to reduce the unwanted actions. Present review provides toxicological data of commonly used pharmaceutical diluents and summarizes the unwanted effects of pharmaceutical diluents on public health.

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The intent of this research was to formulate and evaluate controlled release ocusert of sulfacetamide sodium for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Ocusert is a sterile preparation having drug as dispersion or as solution in the polymeric base. Prepared Ocuserts were formulated using hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose K-15 and Ethyl cellulose as polymers at various concentrations and combinations. Polymeric Films were prepared by mercury casting method using different ratios of polymers. Selected physiochemical properties such as thickness, weight, percentage moisture absorption, and in-vitro release and sterility studies of sulfacetamide sodium ocusert were studied and reported that prepared ocusert resolved the problems of poor bioavailability, frequent dosing and wastage of active ingredient. Keywords: Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose K-15, ocusert, sulfacetamide sodium