ISSN (Online) : 2277-4572
Author(s): Surendra Tripathy, Malay K Das*
Naturally occurring excipients are currently getting prime importance among which the polysaccharides occupy a special position because of their easy availability, non-toxic, eco-friendly and biodegradable nature. The objective of this review was to explore the excipient profile of Guar gum which is obtained from Cyamopsis tetragonolobus (Linn. Leguminosae). The chief constituent of guar gum is a Gallactomannan which is composed of galactose and mannose in a ratio of 1:2 that provides the main physical phenomenon of gelling or thickening to this gum. The chemistry of this gallactomannan suggested the presence of multiple hydroxyl groups which are proved to be excellent for derivatization by grafting or cross-linking with other polymers to create new chemically modified entity of desired properties. The native as well as guar gum derivatives are found to have therapeutic importance in certain physiological disorders. Guar gum is used as suspending, emulsifying and stabilizing agent in the conventional dosage forms. In tablet dosage form it is used as a potential binding and disintegrating agent. The swelling property of guar gum is used for controlling the drug release rate in the novel pharmaceutical dosage forms. By virtue of its better thickening and stabilizing power accompanied by a sound safety profile, guar gum has acquired a wide acceptance in cosmetics and food industry.
