In situ gelling gastro-retentive raft containing Ficus racemosa fruit extract: A promising approach to treat GERD

Gastro-retentive drug delivery system has been widely used to prolong retention of dosage forms in stomach. Amongst various formulations and approaches, the raft formulations sustain the drug release as well as prolonged gastric retention, along with the added advantage of liquid dosage forms. The present study was an attempt to formulate and evaluate Raft forming floating gel for the extract of Ficus racemosa unripe fruit also known as Udumbar or Audumbar which is recognized for the treatment of ulcerative diseases in Ayurveda. To prepare the raft formulation natural polymers such as Gellan Gum, Xanthan Gum and Guar Gum were used along with gas forming ingredients. The formulations were prepared using 3² factorial design. The raft formulations are expected to prolong the retention of the medicinally active extract in stomach for longer duration of action. The evaluation was carried out for floating behavior, gel strength, viscosity, and in vitro dissolution for the gastro-retentive gels. The formulations were found to have floating duration upto 05 hr with a sustained release of active medicament.