The effects of ingestion of flaxseed gum on blood glucose and cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, in type 2 diabetes were evaluated. Flaxseed gum was incorporated in wheat flour chapattis. Sixty patients of type 2 diabetes were fed a daily diet for 3 months, along with six wheat flour chapattis containing flaxseed gum (5 g), as per the recommendations of the American Diabetic Association. The control group (60 individuals) consumed an identical diet but the chapattis were without gum. The blood biochemistry profiles monitored before starting the study and at monthly intervals showed fasting blood sugar in the experimental group decreased from 154±8 mg/dl to 136±7 mg/dl (P=0.03) while the total cholesterol reduced from 182±11 mg/dl to 163±9 mg/dl (P=0.03). Results showed a decrease in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol from 110±8 mg/dl to 92±9 mg/dl (P=0.02). The study demonstrated the efficacy of flax gum in the blood biochemistry profiles of type 2 diabetes.

Hydrogels have evolved over the last decade as materials of choice in varied biomedical applications. This is associated with the inherent biocompatible nature of the hydrogels. The modulation of the properties of the hydrogels is easily possible due to the availability of polymers of varied chemistry and physical properties. This review discusses the pharmaceutical aspects of the controlled release of bioactive agents from hydrogel-based formulations.