Clerodendrum serratum: A clinical approach.

Clerodendrum serratum Linn. (Family: Verbenaceae) is very widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Ethno-medicinal importance of the plant has been reported in various indigenous systems of medicines like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani for the treatment of various life-threatening diseases such as syphilis, typhoid, cancer, jaundice and hypertension. Some of the chief constituents found in the plant are D-mannitol, hispidulin, cleroflavone, apigenin, scutellarein, serratagenic acid, acteoside, verbascoside, oleanolic acid, clerodermic acid, γ-sitosterol, β-sitosterol, cholestanol, clerosterol, campesterol and 24-ethyl cholesterol. Traditionally, it has been also used as anti-rheumatic, anti-asthmatic, febrifuge, in cephalagia and ophthalmia. The roots of C. serratum are also used as anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. Besides these the antimicrobial value of this herbal plant have also been reported in its stems and leaves. These reports are very encouraging and indicate that herb should be studied more expensively for its therapeutic benefits.

Mechanism responsible for mucoadhesion of mucoadhesive drug delivery system: a review.

Mucoadhesion had been a topic of interest in the design of drug delivery system to prolong the residence time of the dosage form with the under lying absorption surface to improve and enhance the bioavailability of drugs. Mucoadhesion occurs between two surfaces, one of which is a mucous membrane and another is drug delivery system. Pharmaceutical aspects of mucoadhesion had been the subject of great interest during recent years because mucoadhesion could be a solution for bioavailability problems that result from a too short length of stay of the pharmaceutical dosage form at the absorption site within the gastro-intestinal tract. It had been a great challenge to the pharmaceutical sciences in order to enhance localised drug delivery or to deliver ‘difficult’ molecules (proteins and oligonucleotides) into the systemic circulation. Mucoadhesive systems remain in close contact with the absorption tissue, the mucous membrane releasing the drug at the action site leading to increase in bioavailability (both local and systemic effects). Extending the residence time of a dosage form at a particular site and controlling the release of drug from the dosage form are useful especially for achieving controlled plasma level of the drug as well as improving bioavailability. The main objective of this study was to selectively collect the data which were extended the gastrointestinal residence time of the dosage form and controlled the release of mucoadhesives.