11.3 Drug Delivery Applications of Fenugreek Gum
11.3.1 Ophthalmic Drug Delivery
Eyes are delicate and sensitive organs of the human body so ophthalmic formulations strictly need to be non-irritant when applied in the ocular area. Cataracts,
macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye syndrome and ocular
allergies are the major challenges in the ophthalmology arena. The currently
available drugs to treat these diseases are associated with four major problems like
poor bioavailability, prolong drug release characteristics, higher dosage and repeated administration. Novel polymer-based drug delivery systems such as liposomes,
hydrogels and nano/microparticles addressed these drawbacks mentioned above.
Polymers of natural origin proved to be the alternative candidate for ophthalmic
drug delivery systems due to less toxic nature, ease of availability and low cost.
Pathak et al. developed nanoparticulate system for ocular delivery using chitosan
and fenugreek seed mucilage. Haemocompatibility studies of developed chitosan/
fenugreek mucilage nanoparticles showed that it was haemocompatible up to
2000 µg/ml. Acute ocular irritation study of nanoparticle-based system at different
concentration ranges (50–2000 µg/ml) was examined using Draize’s test in New
Zealand white female rabbits. Ocular safety studies concluded that the developed
ocular delivery system was non-irritant and can be used for human eyes safely
(Pathak et al. 2014).
Mucoadhesive nature of fenugreek mucilage may be were going to enhance
pre-cornical drug retention which will provide prolonged drug release to treat back
eye diseases. Numerous formulations like viscous polymer vehicles and receptor/
transporter targeted nano-molecules can be developed using fenugreek mucilage to
build smart ophthalmic drug delivery systems. Concepts of micro-dialysis and
Table 11.2 Toxicological aspects of fenugreek seed powder in various animal studies
Type of
toxicity
Acute oral toxicity Acute
dermal
toxicity
Subchronic toxicity
(90 days exposure)
Chronic toxicity
(exposure over
24 weeks)
Dosage LD 50 > 5 g/kg (rat)
Opdyke (1978)
LD 50 > 5 g/kg
(rat)
(Narasimhamurthy
et al. 1999)
LD 50 > 2 g/kg
(mice)
Narasimhamurthy
et al. (1999)
>2 g/kg
(rabbit)
Opdyke
(1978)
NOAEL= 10% (rat)
Diet (*2 g/day)
Opdyke (1978)
NOAEL= 20%
(rat)
87
Diet (*4 g/day)
Rao et al. (1996)
25 g/day (diabetic
patients)
No toxic effects
Sharma et al. (1996a,
b)
LD50—Dose that is expected to be lethal in 50% of test subjects
NOAEL—No Observed Adverse Effect Level
11 Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Applications of Fenugreek Gum
387
11.3.1 Ophthalmic Drug Delivery
Eyes are delicate and sensitive organs of the human body so ophthalmic formulations strictly need to be non-irritant when applied in the ocular area. Cataracts,
macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye syndrome and ocular
allergies are the major challenges in the ophthalmology arena. The currently
available drugs to treat these diseases are associated with four major problems like
poor bioavailability, prolong drug release characteristics, higher dosage and repeated administration. Novel polymer-based drug delivery systems such as liposomes,
hydrogels and nano/microparticles addressed these drawbacks mentioned above.
Polymers of natural origin proved to be the alternative candidate for ophthalmic
drug delivery systems due to less toxic nature, ease of availability and low cost.
Pathak et al. developed nanoparticulate system for ocular delivery using chitosan
and fenugreek seed mucilage. Haemocompatibility studies of developed chitosan/
fenugreek mucilage nanoparticles showed that it was haemocompatible up to
2000 µg/ml. Acute ocular irritation study of nanoparticle-based system at different
concentration ranges (50–2000 µg/ml) was examined using Draize’s test in New
Zealand white female rabbits. Ocular safety studies concluded that the developed
ocular delivery system was non-irritant and can be used for human eyes safely
(Pathak et al. 2014).
Mucoadhesive nature of fenugreek mucilage may be were going to enhance
pre-cornical drug retention which will provide prolonged drug release to treat back
eye diseases. Numerous formulations like viscous polymer vehicles and receptor/
transporter targeted nano-molecules can be developed using fenugreek mucilage to
build smart ophthalmic drug delivery systems. Concepts of micro-dialysis and
Table 11.2 Toxicological aspects of fenugreek seed powder in various animal studies
Type of
toxicity
Acute oral toxicity Acute
dermal
toxicity
Subchronic toxicity
(90 days exposure)
Chronic toxicity
(exposure over
24 weeks)
Dosage LD 50 > 5 g/kg (rat)
Opdyke (1978)
LD 50 > 5 g/kg
(rat)
(Narasimhamurthy
et al. 1999)
LD 50 > 2 g/kg
(mice)
Narasimhamurthy
et al. (1999)
>2 g/kg
(rabbit)
Opdyke
(1978)
NOAEL= 10% (rat)
Diet (*2 g/day)
Opdyke (1978)
NOAEL= 20%
(rat)
87
Diet (*4 g/day)
Rao et al. (1996)
25 g/day (diabetic
patients)
No toxic effects
Sharma et al. (1996a,
b)
LD50—Dose that is expected to be lethal in 50% of test subjects
NOAEL—No Observed Adverse Effect Level
11 Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Applications of Fenugreek Gum
387