Formulation and Evaluation of Diclofenac Suspension by Using Natural Suspending Agents

The purpose of this study is to search for cheap and effective natural excipients that can be used as an effective alternative for the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. In this research natural suspending agents were selected for the study. Gum acacia, compound tragacanth powder and starch were used. The pharmaceutical oral suspensions were prepared by using diclofenac as a model drug by using potassium chloride as flocculating agent. Diclofenac suspensions were prepared with different concentrations (2%, 3%, and 4%w/v) of each suspending agents like compound tragacanth powder, gum acacia and starch. Characterizations of the suspensions were carried out for sedimentation volume, degree of redispersibility, pH, viscosity and flow rate. As per the obtained results, compound tragacanth powder possesses better characteristics as a suspending agent compared to all other natural suspending agents. The results showed that sedimentation volume and viscosity were found to be directly proportional to the concentration of the suspending agents. The compound tragacanth powder was found to have a promising potential for use as a suspending agent in a concentration range of 2-4%w/v.