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NATURAL POLYSACCHARIDES AS PHARMACEUTICAL
EXCIPIENTS
Vilas A. Arsul *1, Dr. S. R. Lahoti 2
1Research Scholar, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur,
Rajasthan. 2Professor, Department of pharmaceutics, Y. B. Chavan College of Pharmacy, Aurangabad.
ABSTRACT Proper design and formulation of a dosage form requires consideration
of the physical, chemical and biologic characteristics of the drug
substances and pharmaceutical ingredients to be used in fabricating the
product. Excipients facilitate the formulation design and perform a
wide range of functions to obtain desired properties for the finished
drug product. Polysaccharide hydrocolloids including mucilages, gums
and glucans are abundant in nature and commonly found in many
higher plants. These polysaccharides constitute a structurally diverse
class of biological macromolecules with a broad range of
physicochemical properties which are widely used for various
applications in pharmacy and medicine. Polysaccharide (Gums and
mucilages) functions as versatile excipients such as Suspending Agent, Emulsifying Agent,
Binder, Gelling Agent, Disintegrant etc. for pharmaceutical formulations. The
polysaccharides can also be modified in different ways to obtain tailor-made materials for
drug delivery systems and thus can compete with the available synthetic excipients.
KEY WORDS: Natural Polysaccharides, Excipients, Modification, Gums and Mucilages.
INTRODUCTION Drug substances are usually not administered as they are in their pure state, but rather as part
of a dosage form where they are usually combined with other agents (excipients), which
could be non-medicinal. [1] Excipients are the additives used to convert active
pharmaceutical ingredients into pharmaceutical dosage form suitable for administration to
patients. [2] Excipients were defined as ‘the substance used as a medium for giving a
World Journal of Pharmaceutical ReseaRch
Volume 3, Issue 2, 3776-3790. Review Article ISSN 2277 – 7105
Article Received on 10 January 2014, Revised on 27 January2014, Accepted on 28 February 2014
*Correspondence for
Author
VILAS A. ARSUL
Research Scholar, School of
Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Jaipur National University,
Jaipur, Rajasthan.
[email protected]
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medicament’, that is to say with simply the functions of an inert support of the active
principle or principles. [3]
Reasons for developing new excipients
With the increasing interest in excipients of natural origin, the pharmaceutical world has
compliance to use most of them in their formulations. Moreover, the tremendous orientation
of pharma world towards these naturally derived polysaccharides has become a subject of
increasing interest to discover, extract and purify such compounds from the reported origin.
[4]
The focus should be directed towards the development of the newer excipients, so that they
can enter the pharmaceutical industry and newer formulations could be developed and
formulation problems could be solved. [5]
Polysaccharide in Plant Parts
Polysaccharide hydrocolloids including mucilages, gums and glucans are abundant in nature
and commonly found in many higher plants. These polysaccharides constitute a structurally
diverse class of biological macromolecules with a broad range of physicochemical properties
which are widely used for various applications in pharmacy and medicine. [4]
Gum and Mucilage
Gums are considered to be pathological products formed following injury to the plant or
owing to unfavourable conditions, such as drought, by a breakdown of cell walls (extra
cellular formation; gummosis).
Mucilage’s are generally normal products of metabolism, formed within the cell (intracellular
formation) and/or are produced without injury to the plant. Gums readily dissolve in water,
whereas, mucilage form slimy masses. [3]
Advantages of natural gums and mucilages in pharmaceutical sciences
The following are a number of the advantages of natural plant–based materials.
Biodegradable—Naturally available biodegradable polymers are produced by all living
organisms. They represent truly renewable source and they have no adverse impact on
humans or environmental health (e.g., skin and eye irritation).
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Biocompatible and non-toxic—chemically, nearly all of these plant materials are
carbohydrates composed of repeating sugar (monosaccharide’s) units. Hence, they are
non- toxic.
Low cost—it is always cheaper to use natural sources. The production cost is also much
lower compared with that for synthetic material. India and many developing countries are
dependent on agriculture.
Environmental-friendly processing—Gums and mucilages from different sources are
easily collected in different seasons in large quantities due to the simple production
processes involved.
Local availability (especially in developing countries) —in developing countries,
government promote the production of plant like guar gum and tragacanth because of the
wide applications in a variety of industries.
Better patient tolerance as well as public acceptance— there is less chance of side and
adverse effects with natural materials compared with synthetic one. For example, PMMA,
povidone. Edible sources—Most gums and mucilages are obtained from edible sources.
[7]
Isolation and purification of Polysaccharides
Plant material is dried in sunlight (preferably) or in an oven at 105˚C to retain its properties
unchanged. Generally, chlorophyll or pigments are present in the plant which should be
removed before isolating the mucilage. Plant material must be treated with petroleum ether
and chloroform (to remove pigments and chlorophyll) and then with distilled water. Care
should be taken when drying the final isolated/extracted mucilage. It must be dried at a very
low temperature (not more than 50˚C) or in a vacuum. The dried material is stored carefully
in desiccators to prevent further moisture uptake or degradation. [7]
Characterization / Standardization of Polysaccharides
The characterization of gums and mucilages is initially achieved by only a multiple-technique
approach. For excipient analysis, analytical techniques can be classified according to the type
of information generated. It is necessary to determine the properties of these polysaccharides
before been used as excipients in any formulation in order to achieve the goal intended of the
formulation. [6]
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Table No 1: Preliminary confirmative tests for Polysaccharides
Sr. No Test Observation Inference
1. Molisch’s test: (100 mg dried mucilage powder + Molisch’s reagent + conc. H2SO4 on the side
of a test tube)
Violet green color observed at the junction
of the two layers
Carbohydrate present
2.
Ruthenium test: Take a small quantity of dried mucilage powder, mount it on a slide with
ruthenium red solution, and observe it under microscope
Pink color develops Mucilage present
3. Iodine test: 10 0mg dried mucilage powder +1 ml 0.2 N iodine solution
No color observed in solution
Polysaccharides present(starch is
absent)
4.
Enzyme test: dissolve 100 mg dried mucilage powder in 20 ml-distilled water; add 0.5 ml of
benzidine in alcohol (90%). Shake and allow to stand for few minutes
No blue color produced
Enzyme absent (Distinction
between dried mucilage and
Acacia) Gums and Mucilages as versatile excipients for pharmaceutical formulations
1. Suspending Agent
Some excipients are currently available for the formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. A
pharmaceutical suspension, like other disperse systems, is thermodynamically unstable, thus,
making it necessary to include in the dosage form, a stabilizer or suspending agent which
reduces the rate of settling and permits easy redispersion of any settled particulate matter both
by protective colloidal action and by increasing the consistency of the suspending medium.
These suspending agent increase sedimentation volume, ease redispersibility, enhance
pourability and prevent compact cake formation. Suspending agents are grouped into three
classes. (i) Synthetic (ii) semi synthetic and (iii) the natural polysaccharides, in which class
Acacia, tragacanth, karaya, Xanthan gum, Hibiscus mucilage etc.
2. Emulsifying Agent
Many of the natural excipient used in the preparation of the emulsion, as emulsion is
thermodynamically unstable, to stabilise it addition of emulsifying agent necessary. Now
days, instead of using the synthetic agent, use of natural emulsifying agent increase due to
low toxicity, low cost, and biocompatibility.
3. Binder
Polysaccharides act as binders by causing aggregation of powders thereby forming granules
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through the process of granulation. They modify the cohesive properties of the granules by
promoting the formation of strong cohesive bonds between such partial. The choice of the
binding agent depends on the binding force required to form granules and its compatibility
with the other ingredients particularly their active drug.
4. Disintegrating agent
Disintegrants are substances that are added to formulations to dissolve more rapidly in
aqueous environment. Polysaccharides extracted have been used as disintegrants due to their
swelling properties. They can display good binding property; both of these properties depend
upon the concentration of mucilage in formulation, generally in the 1 to 10% concentration of
total tablet weight. Polysaccharides can act as base for gel preparation and above it they act
as disintegrant.
5. Sustained Release Polymer
Among various dosage forms, matrix tablets are widely accepted for oral sustained release as
they are simple and easy to formulate. Matrix system is the specific type of release system,
which prolongs and controls the release of drug that is dissolved or dispersed. Various natural
gums and mucilages have been examined as polymer for sustained release formulations.
Mucilage from Aloe barbadensis Miller have been used as a pharmaceutical excipient for
sustained release matrix tablets. Results showed that the dried Abelmoschus esculentus fruit
mucilage can be used as a matrix forming material for controlled release matrix tablets.
Cactus mucilage has been used to prepare a edible coating in pharmaceutical formulation
Table No 2: Pharmaceutical applications or uses of natural gums and mucilages.
Sr. No Common name Botanical name Pharmaceutical Applications
1. Abelmoschus mucilage
Abelmoschus esculentus Sustained release
2. Agar Gelidium amansii Suspending agent, emulsifying agent, gelling agent in suppositories, surgical lubricant, laxative.
3. Aloe mucilage Aloe species Gelling agent, sustained release agent
4. Asario mucilage Lepidum sativum Suspending agent, emulsifying agent, controlled release tablet.
5. Bavchi mucilage Ocimum canum Suspending agent, emulsifying agent
6. Carrageenan Chondrus cryspus Gelling agent, stabilizer in emulsions and suspensions, demulcent and laxative
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7. Cashew gum Anacardium occidentale Suspending agent
8. Fenugreek mucilage
Trigonella foenum graecum
Gelling agent, tablet binder, sustaining agent, emollient and demulcent
9. Guar gum Cyamompsis tetraganolobus
Binder, disintegrant, thickening agent, emulsifier, sustained release agent
10. Gum tragacanth Astragalus gummifer Suspending agent, emulsifying agent, demulcent, emollient in cosmetics.
11. Gum ghatti Anogeissus latifolia emulsifier, suspending agent
12. Hibiscus mucilage Hibiscus esculentus Linn
Emulsifying agent, sustained release agent, suspending agent
13. Hibiscus mucilage Hibiscus rosasinensis Linn Suspending agent, Sustained release agent
12. Ispagol mucilage Plantago psyllium, Plantago ovata
Cathartic, lubricant, demulcent, laxative, sustaining agent, binder, emulsifying and suspending agent
13 Karaya gum Sterculia urens Suspending agent, emulsifying agent, dental adhesive, sustaining agent in tablets, bulk laxative
14. Ocimum seed Mucilage
Ocimum gratissimum Suspending agent, binding agent
15 Satavari mucilage Asparagus racemosus Binding agent and sustaining agent in tablet
16 Leucaena seed gum
Leucaena leucocephata
Emulsifying agent, suspending agent, binder in tablets, disintegrating agent in tablets
17. Xanthan gum Xanthomonas lempestris
Suspending agent, emulsifier, stabilizer in toothpaste and ointments.
18. Gellan gum Pseudomonas elodea Disintegrating agent, Modifications Methods for Polysaccharides
There are various methods for modifying the structures of polysaccharides. The introduction
of hydrophobic, acidic, basic, or other functionality into polysaccharide structures can alter
the properties of materials based on these substances.
1) Physical methods
2) Chemical Methods
1) Physical Modification of Polysaccharides
a) Physical Cross linking
In physical crosslinking, polysaccharides forms crosslinked network with counterion at the
surface. High counterion concentration would require longer exposure times to achieve
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complete crosslinking of the polysaccharides. For physical crosslinking different methods
have been investigated.
i) Cross linking by ionic interaction
ii) Cross linking by Crystallization
iii) Hydrophobised polysaccharides
b) Microwave modification
Microwaves generate electromagnetic radiation in the frequency range of 300 MHz to 300
GHz. On exposure to microwaves, the polar or charge particles tend to align themselves with
electric field component of the microwaves which reverses its direction e.g. at the rate of 2.4
× 109/s at 2.45 GHz microwave frequency. As the charged or polar particles in a reaction
medium fail to align themselves as fast as the direction of the electric field of microwaves
changes, friction is created, which heated the medium
2) Chemical Modification of Polysaccharides
1. Chemical crosslinking:
Chemical crosslinking of polysaccharide is a versatile method with good mechanical stability.
During crosslinking counterions diffused into the polymeric and crosslinking agent reacts
with polysaccharides forming either intermolecular or intramolecular linkages.
i) Crosslinking by radical polymerization
ii) Crosslinking by aldehyde
iii) Crosslinking by addition reaction
iv) Crosslinking by Condensation reaction [17]
2. Graft copolymerization of polysaccharides
Graft copolymers by definition, consists of a long sequence of one polymer with one or more
branches of another polymer. With the help of preformed polymer (polysaccharide in case of
grafted polysaccharides) the synthesis of graft copolymer process will start. The free radical
sites will create on this preformed polymer with the help of external agent. The agent should
be effective enough to create the required free radical sites, at the same time should not be too
drastic to rupture the structural integrity of the preformed polymer chain. Once the free
radical sites are formed on the polymer backbone, the monomer can get added up through the
chain propagation step, leading to the formation of grafted chains.
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i) Vinyl/acryl graft copolymerization
ii) Chemical initiating system
iii) Radically initiating system [18]
The other methods includes
a) Ester and ether formation using saccharide oxygen nucleophiles, including enzymatic
reactions and aspects of regioselectivity
b) The introduction of heteroatomic nucleophiles into polysaccharide chains;
c) The oxidation of polysaccharides, including oxidative glycol cleavage,
d) Chemical oxidation of primary alcohols to carboxylic acids, and enzymatic oxidation of
primary alcohols to aldehydes;
e) Reactions of uronic-acid-based polysaccharides; nucleophilic reactions of the amines of
chitosan; and the formation of unsaturated polysaccharide derivatives. [19]
Many studies have been carried out in fields including food technology and pharmaceuticals
using polysaccharides. The Literature reviles that the extensive effort have been made in
pharmaceutical research laboratory for the development of excipient from natural
polysaccharides. The Literature survey also reviles the use of various physical and chemical
methods for modification of polysaccharides for improving its activity. Some of them are, 1.
Basavaraj et al (2011) designed and characterised sustained release aceclofenac matrix tablets
containing tamarind seed polysaccharide. They extracted tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP)
from tamarind kernel powder and utilized it in the formulation of matrix tablets containing
Aceclofenac by wet granulation technique and evaluated for its drug release characteristics.
Granules were prepared and evaluated for loose bulk density, tapped bulk density,
compressibility index and angle of repose, shows satisfactory results. Formulation was
optimized on the basis of acceptable tablet properties (hardness, friability, drug content and
weight variations), in vitro drug release and stability studies. All the formulations showed
compliance with pharmacopieal standards. The in vitro release study of matrix tablets were
carried out in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 for 12 hr. Among the formulations, they observed that
F5 shows 98.062% better controlled release at the end of 12 hr. The results indicated that a
decrease in release kinetics of the drug was observed by increasing the polymer
concentration. The drug release of optimized formulations F-5 follows zero order kinetics and
the mechanism was found to be diffusion coupled with erosion (non-Fickian
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diffusion/anomalous). The stability studies were carried out according to ICH guideline
which indicates that the selected formulations were stable. [1]
2. Tushar Deshmukh et al (2011) evaluated the gum obtained from of Butea monosperma as a
tablet binder employing ibuprofen as a model drug. The gum was isolated from bark of Butea
monosperma Lam. Physicochemical characteristics of gum were studied. Different
formulations of tablets using Butea monosperma gum were prepared by wet granulation
method. The binder concentrations in the present tablet were 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12% w/v.
Tablets were prepared and subjected for evaluation of hardness, friability, drug content
uniformity. Preliminary evaluation of granules showed that, 1.75 to 2.06 granule % friability,
30.11 to 33.82º angles of repose and 4.146 to 6.512 compressibility index %. Tablet hardness
was found to be in the range of 2.52 to 4.86 kg/cm2, 155 to 267 sec disintegration time and
more than 90.00% dissolution in 105 min. From their study, it can be concluded that B.
monosperma gum at 8% w/v exhibited good binding properties comparable to that of 10%
starch. Gum can be used as a binding agent for the preparation of tablets. [11]
3. Sandhya P et al (2010), in their work evaluated mucilages obtained from Malva sylvestris
and Pedalium murex as Suspending Agent. The purpose of their study was to search for a
cheap and effective natural excipient that can be used as an effective alternative for the
formulation of pharmaceutical suspensions. The suspending properties of Malva sylvestris
and Pedalium murex mucilage were evaluated comparatively with Acacia at concentrations
of 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% w/v in calcium carbonate suspension. Characterization tests were
carried out on purified Malva sylvestris and Pedalium murex mucilage. From the parameters
of sedimentation volume, flow rate, redispersibility abilities, it was observed that suspension
prepared using Pedalium murex mucilage showed better suspendability of all the materials
investigated followed by the suspension prepared using Malva sylvestris. They concluded that
the extracted mucilage from fruits of Pedalium murex and Malva sylvestris has the potential
of a suspending agent even at low concentration and can be used as a pharmaceutical
adjuvant. [14]
4. Olubunmi Olayemi et al., 2011 evaluated Brachystegia eurycoma seed mucilage for use as
a tablet binder in metronidazole formulations in comparison with gelatin. The granules were
formulated by the wet granulation method using the extracted mucilage and gelatin as binder
at 1, 2, 4, 6%w/w concentrations. The granules were found to possess good flow property as
indicated by the angle of repose, Hausner’s ratio and Carr’s index. The formulated tablets
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were evaluated for uniformity of weight, thickness, tablet hardness, friability, disintegration
times, drug assay and dissolution profile. Generally, the tablets formulated from Brachystegia
eurycoma seed mucilage were softer than those of gelatin, had good uniformity of weight and
disintegrated within the official specified times for uncoated tablets. They indicate the
efficacy of Brachystegia eurycoma seed mucilage as a binder where fast release of a drug is
desired. [26]
5. A. S. Mann, et al., 2007 evaluated the suspending properties of Cassia tora (family
Leguminosae) comparatively with those of compound tragacanth, Acacia and gelatin at
concentration range of 0.5 – 4.0% w/v in sulphadimidine suspension. Characterization tests
were carried out on purified Cassia tora mucilage. Sedimentation volume (%), rheology and
particle size analysis were employed as evaluation parameters. The values obtained were
used as basis for comparison of the suspending agents studied. They found that Cassia
mucilage is safe for use as a suspending agent in human and pet foods based on the levels of
use, which are comparable to the use levels of other suspending agents.[27]
6. Mahmud, H S., et al., 2008 investigated the Gum exudates from Khaya senegalensis
(Family Meliaceae) plants for its physicochemical properties such as pH, water sorption,
swelling capacity and viscosities at different temperatures using standard methods. The gum
is slightly soluble in water and practically insoluble in ethanol, acetone and chloroform. It
swells to about 10 times its original weight in water. Water sorption studies revealed that it
absorbs water readily and is easily dehydrated in the presence of desiccants. A 5 %w/v
mucilage concentration gave a viscosity value which was unaffected at temperature ranges
(28 – 40 °C). They found that the swelling ability of Khaya senegalensis gum provides
potentials for its use as a disintegrant in tablet formulation, as a hydro gel in modified release
dosage forms. [6]
7. R. Deveswaran, et al., 2009, studied disintegrant property of mucilage and seed powder of
Isapghula by formulating dispersible tablets of famotidine. Hardness of the tablets was found
to be in the range of 4.0 kg/cm2 for all formulations. The wetting time decreased with the
increase in concentration of seed and mucilage powder. The tablets showed 96.1-99.3% of
the labeled amount of drug, indicating uniformity in drug content. The mucilage powder was
found to have better disintegrating property compared to the seed powder. All the
formulations were found to be within the acceptable limits of official weight variation test
and they exhibited good friability.[12]
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8. Ravi Kumar et al, 2009 investigated the Polysaccharide mucilage, derived from the seeds
of fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graceum L (family Leguminosae), as disintegrant for use in
mouth dissolving tablet formulations containing metformin hydrochloride. Mucilage
extracted from fenugreek seeds were subjected to toxicity studies, it showed that extracted
mucilage was devoid of toxicity. Fast disintegrating tablet (FDT) of metformin HCl was
formulated using different concentration (2, 4, 6 8 and 10% w/w) of natural disintegrant viz;
isolated mucilage of fenugreek seed and synthetic superdisintegrants like croscarmellose
sodium and were compared. Disintegration time and drug release were taken as the basis to
optimize the rapidly disintegrating tablet. Prepared tablets were evaluated for thickness,
hardness, friability, uniformity of weight, disintegration time, wetting time and dissolution
study. The formulated tablets had good appearance and better drug release properties as
compared to the marketed conventional tablets. Fenugreek mucilage in the concentration of 4
% gives shorter disintegration in 15 sec. and shows 100% drug release within 18 min. is
selected as the optimized formulation (F2). They revealed that fenugreek mucilage showed
better disintegrating property than the most widely used synthetic superdisintegrants like Ac-
di-sol in the formulations of FDTs. Studies indicated that the extracted mucilage is a good
pharmaceutical adjuvant, specifically a disintegrating agent.[18]
9. Phani Kumar G. K et al, 2011, developed sustained release matrix tablets of Lornoxicam
for maintaining therapeutic blood or tissue levels of the drug for extended period of time with
minimized local or systemic adverse effects. Tamarind Seed Polysaccharide (TSP) as a
natural binder and it is source obtained from Tamarindus indica .The tablets were formulated
by wet granulation method by using 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% Tamarind Seed
Polysaccharide (TSP) as a natural binding agent and its optimized batch was compared with
maximum ratio of various binders (HPMC K4M, Sodium CMC, Guar Gum). Tablets with
highest binder concentration showed maximum hardness (8.0 kg/cm2) and minimum
friability (0.25%). After 24 hours tablets with 20% TSP binder showed maximum drug
release (99.45%) and tablets with 40% TSP binder showed minimum drug release (62.55%).
With increasing the percentage of natural polymer (TSP), release rate decreased, though drug
release pattern was mainly dependent on the type of polymer. Among all the formulations,
formulation LT - 2 which contain 20% TSP binder release the drug which follows Zero order
kinetics via, swelling, diffusion and erosion. The FTIR study revealed that there was no
chemical interaction between drug and excipients.[15]
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10. Anuradha Mishra and Sunita Pal (2007) carried out the synthesis and characterization of
polysaccharide-based material Okra mucilage. A water-soluble food grade polysaccharide
was grafted with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) using ceric ammonium nitrate/nitric acid redox
initiator for modifying their properties for potential industrial applications. Ceric ion initiated
solution polymerization under N2 atmosphere was found to be an efficient method for the
formation of graft copolymers. The effect of variables such as the monomer concentration,
initiator concentration, reaction time and temperature on the grafting efficiency (%GE) and
percent grafting (PG) was discussed. Evidence of grafting was provided by the
characterization of Okra mucilage and its graft copolymers by Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry
(DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. Grafting of polyacrylonitrile onto Okra
mucilage, a polysaccharide of vegetable origin, offers a new polymeric material with
properties that can be exploited industrially. They concluded that grafting only improves the
properties of mucilage by introducing more reactive sites and without making any change in
the molecular mobility of chelating groups of polysaccharide. [22]
11. Ramana Murthy et al (2002), Evaluated modified gum karaya as carrier for the
dissolution enhancement of poorly water-soluble drug Nimodipine. The advantages of MGK
over the parent gum karaya (GK) were illustrated by differences in the in vitro dissolution
profiles of respective solid mixtures prepared by co-grinding technique. The influence of
process variable, such as polysaccharide concentration and method of preparation of solid
mixture on dissolution rate was studied. They performed solubility studies to explain the
differences in dissolution rate. Solid mixtures were characterized by differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction studies (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy
(SEM). The dissolution rate of NM was increased as the MGK concentration increased and
optimum ratio was found to be 1:9 w/w ratio (NM: MGK). From the study they found that
method of preparation of solid mixtures was significantly effected the dissolution rate of NM
from solid mixtures. The order of method of preparation in according to their Dissolution
Efficiency was physical mixture_co-grinding mixture_swollen carrier mixture_kneading
mixture (water as kneading agent)_kneading mixture (70% v/v ethanol as kneading
agent)_solid dispersion. Though, the solid mixtures prepared by other methods like solid
dispersion, swollen carrier mixture and kneading technique gav faster release, co-grinding
mixture prepared in 1:9 w/w ratio (NM:MGK) was found to exhibit a significant
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improvement in dissolution rate without requiring addition of organic solvents or high
temperatures for its preparation and the process is less cumbersome.[23]
12. Sutar P.B et al (2008) crosslinked polyacrylamide grafted pectin with varying amount of
glutaraldehyde and they observed that the cross-linked product showed better film forming
property and gelling property than pectin. The pH dependent release of salicylic acid was
observed due to pH dependent swelling of the crosslinked hydrogel. [24]
13. Gurpreet Kaur et al evaluated the possible use of inter polymer complexed (IPC) films of
chitosan (CH) and carboxymethyl tamarind kernel powder (CMTKP) for colon release of
budesonide. They found that the results strongly indicate versatility of CH-CMTKP IPC films
to deliver budesonide in the colon. [25]
CONCLUSION In the present review different works on natural polysaccharides were studied in terms of
their use as excipients in various formulations. Gums and mucilages are widely used natural
materials for conventional and novel dosage forms. These natural materials have advantages over
synthetic ones since they are chemically inert, nontoxic, less expensive, biodegradable and widely
available. Recently, much attention has been paid to the modification of natural
polysaccharides in order to obtain novel hybrid materials. These modified polysaccharides
could be applied in the design of various stimuli-responsive controlled release systems such
as transdermal films, buccal tablets, matrix tablets, microsphers/hydrogel bead system and
nanoparticulate system. This contribution is intended to develop other natural sources as well as
with modifying existing natural materials for the formulation of novel drug delivery systems,
biotechnological applications and other delivery systems.
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and Characterization of Sustained Release Aceclofenac Matrix Tablets Containing
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2. Kumar R, Patil S. Isolation and Evaluation of Disintegrant Properties of Fenugreek Seed
Mucilage, Int.J. PharmTech Res.2009, 1(4), 982-996.
3. Kumar T, Gupta S K, Prajapati M K, Tripathi D K. Natural Excipients: A Review, Asian
Journal of Pharmacy and Life Science, 2012, 2 (1), 97-108.
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4. Malviya R, Srivastava P, Kulkarni G T. Applications of Mucilages in Drug Delivery - A
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5. Sangwan Y S, Sangwan S, Jalwal P, Murti K, Kaushik M. Mucilages and Their
Pharmaceutical Applications: an Overview, Pharmacologyonline, 2011, 2, 1265-1271.
6. Mahmud H S, Oyi A R, Allagh T S. Studies on Some Physicochemical Properties of
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