Evaluation of Gelling Behavior of Natural Gums and their Formulation Prospects

Purpose: Gums and polymers can be found abundantly in the nature from various plants, microbial and marine sources. Their physical and functional characteristics can be customized according to its application in product development. The purpose of this study is to determine the potentiality of natural gums obtained from plant based sources in development of gel formulation and its comparison with the commercially used polymers viz. Carbopol 934, Carboxy Methyl Cellulose, Xanthan, Sodium Alginate.
Methods: Gel formulations of varying ranges of polymeric concentrations were prepared and evaluated for its pharmaceutical parameters like pH, viscosity, homogeneity, tensile strength and antimicrobial activity.
Results: The analysis of the developed gel formulations indicated that formulations developed using Guar gum possess much better gelling behavior i.e. viscosity and muco-adhesiveness then other selected gums and is more closer to its synthetic counterpart like Carbopol 934 and Sodium alginate. Thus natural gum provides a comparatively broader range of characteristics and eco-friendly approach which enhances its applicability in formulation development. This research work rationalizes the importance of natural gums as gelling agents in development of pharmaceutical dosage forms, cosmetic products and nutraceutical formulations.

CONCLUSION
Gels prepared from the natural gums possess good spreadability, extrudability and bio-adhesive strength. Natural gums have good gelling properties and are comparable to the commonly used synthetic and semi-synthetic polymer i. e carbapol 934 based gel. A proportionality relationship based on in-vitro co-relation test is established that showcases the influence of one pharmaceutical parameter on the other. On increasing the concentration, viscosity of gel increases and extrudability decreases on applying same stress. Also it was explored that highly concentrated liquid due to more viscosity was difficult to spread then the low concentration less viscous gel, also by analyzing the data we can say that viscosity is inversely proportional to the spreadability and extrudability of the gels but directly proportional to the surface tension, i.e., Viscosity α1/E α 1/S α S.T. Guar gum is found to bear good viscosity and spreadability, hence it can be as a cost effective, eco-friendly alternative of carbopol, xanthan and other commonly known gelling agents. The work justifies the utilisation and usage of environmental friendly natural gums as potential gelling agents in preparing gel based formulations and natural products for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical applications.

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Key words & Materials: Eco-friendly, Gelling agents, Gel Formulations, Muco-adhesiveness, Antimicrobial activity. Guar Gum, Tragacanth and Butylated Hydroxyl Toluene , Sodium Alginate, Xanthan, CMC, Carbopol 934, Methyl paraben, Propyl paraben, Propylene glycol