Development and Optimization of Sustained-Release Herbal Tablets for Metabolic Syndrome: Formulation, In-Vitro Release and Stability

Metabolic syndrome is a multifactorial disorder that involves hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, obese patients, and high cardiovascular risk with the need to be treated on a long-lasting basis to provide long-term clinical outcomes. Herbal medicines provide safe multi-targeted therapeutic potential; however, due to their immediate release dosage form the bioavailability is rather inconsistent and less patient compliance is expected. The proposed study endeavored to design and streamline sustained-release (SR) polyherbal tablets utilizing standardized extracts of Gymnema sylvestre, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Curcuma longa towards enhanced management of metabolic syndrome. The 6 formulations (F1-F6) were developed with different concentrations of the polymer and tested in terms of pre-compression, post-compression qualities, in vitro drug release, stability, and in vivo efficacy in STZ induced diabetic rats. F6 was found to have the best physicochemical properties, extended drug release (81% at 12 hours), and stability in accelerated conditions. Fastening in vivo experiments indicated that F6 reduced the level of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increased the level of HDL that had the same therapeutic effects as metformin (p