Psyllium Polysaccharide Research Articles

Acrylamide Cross‐Linked Psyllium Polysaccharide with Improved Flocculation Performance for the Removal of Microplastics from Water

AbstractThis article presents a novel material of acrylamide (AM) cross‐linked psyllium polysaccharides (PLP) derivative, PLP‐AM, which can be used as an effective polymeric flocculant for the removal of microplastics (MP) from water. PLP‐AM was produced by radical polymerization of PLP and AM using microwave irradiation instead of conventional radical initiators. The characterization of PLP‐AM was carried out by FT‐IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, intrinsic viscosity measurement and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were utilized to examine the flocculation performance of PLP‐AM. The optimum flocculation conditions were obtained by the comprehensive exploration of flocculant concentration, solution pH and temperature. In a solution with a pH 6 at 30 °C, the maximum removal percentages of PS and PVC by 60 mg/L of PLP‐AM were 92.55 % and 94.31 %, respectively, while 93.85 % of the maximum removal of PET percentage could be obtained by 80 mg/L of PLP‐AM. The results of zeta potential measurement revealed that there was adsorption electric neutralization between MP and PLP‐AM besides the adsorption bridging mechanism. These results suggest that PLP‐AM may bring an inspiration for the development of polymer flocculant to remove MP from water.

Photo-triggered caffeic acid delivery via psyllium polysaccharide- gellan gum-based injectable bionanogel for epidermoid carcinoma treatment

Here, the simultaneous effect of chemo- and photothermal therapy against epidermoid carcinoma (EC) was investigated. A novel hydrogel, termed bionanogel (BNG), was designed using psyllium mucilage polysaccharide and bacterial gellan gum, incorporated with nanocomplex carrying caffeic acid (CA) and IR-820, and further characterized. The dual effect of BNG and 808 nm laser (BNG + L) on EC was investigated. Staining and scratch assays were performed to analyze their therapeutic effect on EC. In vivo evaluations of BNG + L in xenograft models were performed. Rapid transition, limited swelling, degradability and high tensile strength indicated BNG stability and sustained drug release. Irradiation with 808 nm laser light at 1.25 W /cm2 for 4 min resulted in a temperature increase of 53 °C and facilitated cell ablation. The in vitro studies showed that BNG + L suppressed cancer progression via a late apoptotic effect. The in vivo study showed that the slow release of CA from BNG + L significantly attenuated EC with low mitotic index and downregulation of proteins involved in cancer proliferation such as EGFR, AKT, PI3K, ERK, mTOR and HIF-1α. Thus, BNG could be a novel medium for targeted and controlled drug delivery for the treatment of epidermoid cancer when triggered by NIR light.

Synthesis and Characterization of Psyllium Polysaccharide–Poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate)−Poly(acrylamide) Hydrogels for Use in Sustained Drug Delivery Applications

Psyllium has been explored for various food and pharmaceutical applications. Recently, its therapeutic action against cancer has been reported. Hence, herein in this research it has been modified to develop hydrogels through graft copolymerization reaction for use as sustained drug delivery carriers for anti-cancer drug “5-fluorouracil” (FU) to enhance the therapeutic potential. Synthesis of hydrogels was carried out by grafting of poly(2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) and poly(acrylamide) onto psyllium in the presence of crosslinker. Polymers were characterized by cryo-SEM, AFM, XRD, 13C-NMR, and TGA techniques, beside evaluation of swelling, drug release, blood compatibility, mucoadhesion, antioxidant properties and gel strength of the hydrogels. The porous network structure with rough surface was observed in cryo-SEM and AFM images of the samples. Release of FU from psy-cl-poly(HPMA-co-AAm) polymer occurred with non-Fickian diffusion in sustained manner. These hydrogels were mucoadhesive (work of adhesion = 8.45 ± 0.32 N mm), non-haemolytic (haemolytic index = 1.05 ± 0.07%), and antioxidant (with 19.12 ± 0.14% inhibition in DPPH assay) in nature, therefore they could be used as slow drug delivery carriers for ailments associated GIT system.

Modification of Dietary Fiber Psyllium with Poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) through Network Formation for Use in Slow Drug Delivery Application

In view of the pharmacological importance of dietary fibre, psyllium, to cure the constipation and diverticulitis, in the present study, an attempt has been made to modify psyllium polysaccharide with PVP to develop the hydrogel meant for slow and controlled drug delivery systems. The polymer was characterized by SEMs, FTIR, XRD, TGA and swelling studies. Swelling of hydrogels and drug (ciprofloxacin) release profile from the drug loaded hydrogels were determined for the evaluation of the swelling/release mechanism. Biomedical properties; biocompatibility and mucoadhesion of the hydrogels, were also studied. Swelling of the hydrogels and release of drugs from drug loaded hydrogels occurred through non-Fickian diffusion mechanism. Here it is pertinent to mention that both psyllium husk polysaccharide and antibiotic drug ciprofloxacin are used for gastrointestinal tract (GIT) problem, especially in case of diverticulitis. Hence, degradation of the polymer matrix and release of drug may exert the synergic effect and the present drug delivery system may act with enhanced potential.

Synthesis and characterization of psyllium seed mucilage grafted with N,N-methylene bisacrylamide

Psyllium seed polysaccharide was modified to investigate its use as multifunctional pharmaceutical excipient. The objective of this study was isolation of psyllium seed polysaccharide and crosslinking with acrylic acid using N,N-methylene bisacrylamide and its characterization. Acrylic acid was used as monomer and ammonium persulfate as initiator. A full factorial design was employed to optimize the crosslinking. The modified polysaccharide was characterized by FTIR, DSC, PXRD, loss on drying, pH, viscosity, micromeritics properties and swelling studies in 0.1N HCl, 0.5N NaOH, phosphate buffer pH 6.8. It was observed that swelling of crosslinked polysaccharide increased with decreased concentration of monomer and increasing concentration of crosslinker. Greater degree of grafting was observed with increase in crosslinker and monomer concentration. Dispersions of 1% w/v of PPS and APPS show pseudoplastic behavior. No clinical signs of toxicity were evident in repeat dose toxicity studies conducted in rats. Administration of up to 350mg/kg/day of APPS was well tolerated by the animals. Modification of psyllium via graft copolymerization and network formation with the crosslinker, improved the property profile and utility of psyllium polysaccharide. The modified polysaccharide can be used for designing controlled release drug delivery systems due to its swelling ability.

Evaluation of Phosphorylated Psyllium Seed Polysaccharide as a Release Retardant.

The aim of the present study was to modify psyllium seed polysaccharide and evaluate the modified polysaccharide as release retardant in tablets employing ciprofloxacin hydrochloride as model drug. Studies on polysaccharide from psyllium husk has been reported but no work has been reported on characterization and modification of the polysaccharide present in the psyllium (Plantago ovata) seed and the use of the modified polysaccharide as a release retardant in tablets. In this study, the seed gum was modified using sodium trimetaphosphate as crosslinking agent. Sustained release matrix tablets of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride were prepared by wet granulation using various drug-polymer ratios. The polymers investigated were psyllium polysaccharide, phosphorylated psyllium polysaccharide and widely used release retardant hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K100M. The tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, drug content, swelling profile and in vitro dissolution studies. The matrix tablets containing 1:3 proportion of drug-phosphorylated psyllium polysaccharide was found to have higher hardness as compared to tablets containing 1:1 and 1:2 proportions. The results of swelling behavior in water showed that the tablets containing 1:3 drug:phosphorylated psyllium polysaccharide ratio had swelling comparable to that of tablets containing 1:3 drug:hydroxypropyl methylcellulose ratio. The in vitro dissolution studies shows that the dissolution rate was retarded from 98.41 to 37.6% in 6 h with increase in concentration of phosphorylated psyllium polysaccharide from 100 to 300 mg. Formulations containing psyllium polysaccharide showed complete drug release in 8 h whereas those formulated with phosphorylated psyllium polysaccharide exhibited extended drug release over the 12 h period. Drug release kinetic studies revealed that drug release followed Korsmeyer-Peppas model.

Recent trends in hydrogels based on psyllium polysaccharide: a review

Natural polysaccharide based hydrogels display unique properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, stimuli-responsive characteristics and biological functions making them a materials of choice for diverse applications. Indeed during the last few years, a number of biorenewable polymers based hydrogels have attracted great interest for miscellaneous applications including biomedical, toxic ion removal and water purification. Keeping in mind the advantages of biorenewable polymers, this article summarizes for the first time, the recent development in psyllium polysaccharide based hydrogels. Different methods for preparation of polysaccharide hydrogels along with characterization, their swelling behavior and different mechanisms of solvent diffusion are critically reviewed. This article also comprehensively discusses the structure-property relationships of polysaccharide hydrogels and highlights the application potential for prime performance of the resulting hydrogels. Effect of different reaction conditions and monomers on different properties of the resulting hydrogels have been explored. The most important properties of polysaccharide hydrogels relevant to their biomedical/environmental applications are also identified, especially for the use of polysaccharide hydrogels as drug delivery/flocculant and superabsorbent systems. It is anticipated that the interest in natural polysaccharide based hydrogel will continue to grow as value – added green materials for multifunctional applications.

Mechanism of Interactions between Calcium and Viscous Polysaccharide from the Seeds of Plantago asiatica L.

The present study aimed at investigating the mechanism of interactions between calcium and the psyllium polysaccharide. Plantago asiatica L. crude polysaccharide (PLCP) was subjected to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to yield calcium-depleted polysaccharide named PLCP-E. There was essentially no difference in the structure between PLCP-E and PLCP. However, PLCP-E exhibited a much lower apparent viscosity compared to that of PLCP. PLCP was treated with sodium hydroxide to deplete ferulic acid. The resultant material was named PLCP-FAS, which also exhibited lower viscosity. Adding Ca(2+) could both increase apparent viscosity of PLCP-E and PLCP-FAS, but only PLCP-E could keep the high viscosity when dialysis was carried out to remove free Ca(2+) in the solution. Thermal analysis showed that the thermal stability of the polysaccharide was reduced after EDTA chelation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that PLCP-E was flaky and curly aggregation, while PLCP was mostly filamentous in appearance. The results suggested that there are strong interactions between Ca(2+) and the polysaccharide. The interactions contributed to the high viscosity, weak gelling property, and thermal stability of the polysaccharide.

Synthesis of smart hydrogels by radiation polymerisation for use as slow drug delivery devices

AbstractThis article deals with the modification of medicinally important psyllium polysaccharide with acrylamide through radiation crosslinked polymerisation for the design of double potential hydrogels meant for slow release of insulin. Here the double potential is due to the inherent blood sugar lowering ability of psyllium and release of insulin in controlled manner from the drug loaded hydrogels. Synthesis of hydrogels and their characterisation by scanning electron micrography (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and swelling studies have been discussed. The release dynamics of model drug insulin from the hydrogels has been studied for the evaluation of the release mechanism. The release of the drug from the hydrogels occurred through non‐Fickian diffusion mechanism.

Slow release of ciprofloxacin from double potential drug delivery system

Psyllium polysaccharide is a bulk laxative and has been used for the treatment of constipation which is responsible for the diverticulitis. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic used for the microorganism infested in the diverticula. Hence, the functionalization of psyllium with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly(acrylamide) [poly(AAm)] will develop the drug delivery system (DDS) with potential for dual action for the treatment of diverticulitis, that is, by treating the constipation due to laxative action of psyllium and release of ciprofloxacin from DDS in controlled manner. The optimum conditions for the synthesis of hydrogels have been obtained as 42.21 × 10−2 mol/L of AAm, 3% (w/v) of PVA, 32.43 × 10−3 mol/L of N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (NN-MBA), 17.53 × 10−3 mol/L ammonium persulfate, and 1 g of psyllium. The characterization of the hydrogels has been carried out by SEMs, EDAX, FTIR, and swelling studies. Swelling and drug release studies have also been carried out to determine the mechanism of swelling of hydrogels and drug release from the drug loaded hydrogels. The release of the drug from the hydrogels occurred through Fickian diffusion mechanism in pH 2.2 and pH 7.4 buffer.

Microstructure and rheological properties of psyllium polysaccharide gel

The strong gelling property of psyllium polysaccharides is closely related to its health benefits and applications, such as use as a binding agent in the landscape industry. However, information about gelling properties of psyllium polysaccharides is very limited. To explore the gel properties of psyllium, the alkaline extracted gel fraction (AEG) of psyllium polysaccharides was studied in this investigation. The rheological and low-temperature electron microscopy methods including cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM) and freeze-substitution for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate Ca 2+ influence on the gel properties of AEG. AEG formed a weak gel with a fibrous appearance. AEG did not have a sharp melting point and exhibited no thermal hysteresis during heating and cooling procedure. The origin of this gelling behaviour was due to the fibrillar gel structure of psyllium polysaccharide. It was found that Ca 2+ had a significant influence on the gel properties and microstructure. Elastic modulus G′ of gel increased as Ca 2+ concentration increased. Critical strain S at first increased and then decreased as Ca 2+ concentration increased. AEG gel became more resistant to temperature change on addition of Ca 2+. Psyllium gel changed to aggregated gel with added Ca 2+. The strands of gel appeared thicker and the density of the junction zone increased with increasing Ca 2+ concentration as revealed by SEM and TEM. The changing bulk gelling properties of psyllium polysaccharide by adding Ca 2+ was attributed to the change in gel structure.