Pullulan in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical formulations: A review

Pullulan, an α-glucan polysaccharide, is colorless, odorless, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, highly biocompatible, edible and biodegradable in nature. The long chains of glucopyranose rings in pullulan structure are linked together by α-(1 → 4) and α-(1 → 6) glycosidic linkages. The occurrence of both glycosidic linkages in the pullulan structure contributes to its distinctive properties.

Highlights

Pullulan usage in the pharmaceutical has been discussed.

Pullulan applications in cosmeceuticals have been described.

Pullulan contribution in oral dose formulations has been highlighted.

Pullulan usage in creams, shampoo, lotions, facial packs, etc. has been elaborated.

The unique structure of pullulan makes it a potent candidate for both pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications. In pharmaceuticals, it can be used as a drug carrier and in various dosage formulations. It has been widely used in drug targeting, implants, ocular dosage forms, topical formulations, oral dosage forms, and oral liquid formulations, etc. Pullulan can be used as a potential carrier of active ingredients and their site-specific delivery to skin layers for cosmeceutical applications. It has been extensively used in cosmeceutical formulations like creams, shampoo, lotions, sunscreen, facial packs, etc. The current review highlights applications of pullulan in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical applications.

Ram Sarup Singh, Navpreet Kaur, Dhandeep Singh, Sukhvinder Singh Purewal, John F. Kennedy, Pullulan in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical formulations: A review, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2023, 123353, ISSN 0141-8130,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123353.

excipients formulation