Global Status and Novel Applications of Natural Gums: An Overview

Natural gums are extracted from different types of natural origins. It is found in the woody elements of plants or seed coatings in the terrestrial environment and also found in seaweeds in the marine environment. Natural gums are otherwise called polysaccharides. Nowadays, there has been a remarkable development in natural products, especially in natural gums that have been used for a variety of purposes such as binders, emulsifying agent suspending agents, etc. In recent years, researchers are focused to produce biodegradable, non-toxic, and low-cost natural materials as these products help in the improvement of human health and provide novel beneficial manner. Moreover, natural polymers were used as a functional food in ancient peoples. In this review, the recent investigations and developments of natural gums have been discussed.

Formulation, Physical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Silymarin Suspensions and Emulsions

Silymarin, is a therapeutically important flavonoid act as a hepatoprotective agent. However, has a positive effect on metabolism act as a hydrophobic drug but has a very low bioavailability. The aim of the present study was to prepare appropriate formulations of Silymarin in order to enhance its bioavailability. The natural suspending agents like (Xanthan gum, Tragacanth gum, Acacia gum and Iranian gum) were used for the formulation of suspensions, while emulsions were prepared with the combination of surfactant, co-surfactant and oil. The formulations were evaluated for their physical stability, pH, refractive index and conductivity. Among different formulations and suspensions prepared with xanthan gum as a green stabilizing agents were most stable. Emulsions formulated with tween 80 as a surfactant, polyethylene glycol as co-surfactant and olive oil were clear and stable for more than six months. The refractive index, pH and conductivity of the most stable suspension and emulsions were 1.347, 6.9 and 0.18 s/m and 1.43, 6.9, 0.01 s/m respectively. It was concluded that xanthan gum and tween 80 with polyethylene glycol has a good potential to enhance the therapeutic efficiency and stability of silymarin suspension and emulsion.

Evaluation of Aloe elegans Mucilage as a Suspending Agent in Paracetamol Suspension

Background. There are various natural excipients which have been used as suspending agents in pharmaceutical suspensions due to the presence of mucilage in their specialized cells and their capacity to form a colloidal gel in an aqueous medium. Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suspending capacity of Aloe elegans mucilage in suspension formulations. Materials and Methods. Aloe elegans mucilage (AEM) was evaluated as a suspending agent in comparison with xanthan gum (XG) in paracetamol suspensions at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% ( w / v ) concentrations. The resulting suspensions were evaluated for their sedimentation volume, apparent viscosity, flow rate, rate of redispersibility, pH, assay, and dissolution profile. Results. The volume of sedimentation, apparent viscosity, and redispersibility rate of the formulations were significantly increased ( p < 0.05 ), with the concentration of the suspending agents. Meanwhile, the apparent viscosity for all formulations has significantly decreased ( p < 0.05 ) with an increase in shear rates. Volume of sedimentation, apparent viscosity, and redispersibility degree of the formulations prepared with AEM were significantly ( p < 0.05 ) lower than XG-containing formulations at the same concentration. Nevertheless, the sedimentation volume of all formulations with AEM was significantly ( p < 0.05 ) higher than the suspension without any suspending agent. With regard to drug content and pH values, all formulations showed an acceptable result with the standards. All formulations showed a release of greater than 85% of drug content within 45 min. Conclusion. Aloe elegans mucilage could have a potential to be utilized as an alternative suspending agent in pharmaceutical suspensions.

Isolation and Evaluation of Tamarind Seed Coat Mucilage as Pharmaceutical Suspending Agent

Natural polymers, specifical mucilages, have been used as a suspending agent for a long period of time. Natural excipients can serve as an alternative to synthetic products since they are less expensive, less toxic, and devoid of environmental pollution. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the mucilage isolated from Tamarindusindica (Fabaceae) seed coat, commonly named tamarind, as an innovative suspending agent. Paracetamol suspensions (10% w/v) were prepared using the T. indica seed coat mucilage as a suspending agent, and it was evaluated for parameters like physical stability, sedimentation profile, dispersibility, and flow property. Furthermore, it was assessed for its stability. The effect of the tested mucilage on the suspension was compared with commonly used suspending agents, i.e. sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% w/v. The results obtained indicated that the T. indica seed coat mucilage could be used as a suspending agent.

Purification and modification of neem gum for enhancement of its suspending property

Background The present study aimed to purify and modify the neem gum (NG) to evaluate its dispersing ability in a pharmaceutical suspension formulation. The modification was carried out to cross-link the sugars as carbamate in the presence of calcium chloride to improve the suspending property. Physiochemical properties such as pH, solubility, swelling index and ash value were performed before investigating the dispersing potential. The suspending potential of neem gum was studied in its different forms such as purified and modified gum in paracetamol suspension and was compared with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) being used as standard at a concentration range of 0.25–1% (w/v). The test suspensions were evaluated for the redispersibility, flowability, sedimentation volume (%) and stability study for 3 months. Result The redispersibility of modified neem gum (MNG) was found equal to CMC at a higher concentration. The flowability and apparent sedimentation of test suspending agents and CMC were found in the order of NG > MNG > CMC. It showed a positive correlation with the viscosity of suspension formulations. All the test paracetamol suspension formulations were found stable in the stability study. Conclusion The findings of the present study showed that as an alternate suspending agent, modified cross-linked neem gum could be used.

Evaluation of Aloe weloensis (Aloeacea) Mucilages as a Pharmaceutical Suspending Agent

Natural polymers, specifically mucilages, have been used as a suspending agent for a long period of time. Natural excipients can serve as an alternative to synthetic products since they are less expensive, less toxic, and devoid of environmental pollution. There are many species of Aloe found in Ethiopia which can be used as a source of mucilage. In this study, mucilage from Aloe weloensis, which is found in Wollo floristic region, was extracted and tested as a suspending agent at different suspending agent concentrations and compared with standard suspending agents (acacia and sodium carboxy methylcellulose (NaCMC)) by formulating zinc oxide suspension. The mucilage obtained from Aloe weloensis leaves has shown comparable suspending agent ability with acacia. The rate of sedimentation and viscosity was higher at 1% and 4% mucilage concentrations than acacia though the difference was not significant ( p > 0.05 ). The suspension was slightly basic and easily dispersible than NaCMC. Suspensions formulated from NaCMC were superior in terms of viscosity and sedimentation volume which was significantly different ( p < 0.05 ) accompanied by lower flow rates than suspensions formulated from acacia and Aloe weloensis mucilages. The results suggested that Aloe weloensis mucilage could be used as an alternative suspending agent.

Development of Instant Linear Gel for Coal Bed Methane Gas Operations

Previously we prepared fracturing linear gel with fossil diesel, bio-diesel and also used suspending, anti-settling agents and emulsifiers. But through this research, a novel and efficient method for the preparation of linear gel directly mixed with water, guar gum and sodium acetate together instantly. In this instead of diesel, we used water and no need to mix anti-settling agents, suspending agents, emulsifiers that resulted in 30 viscosity linear gel. Ammonium persulphate or Ammonium peroxidisulphate and enzyme-G are used for oxidation purposes to break the gel gradually at a particular static temperature. The degradation pattern observed from the breaker test showed that a reduction in gel viscosity depends on time, temperature & breaker concentration. Observations from experiments revealed that a small concentration of breakers provides rapid break compared to oxidative breakers. This article, designing of fracturing fluids describes how to use the fluid's viscosity generated by the gelling agents like guar gum for CBM operations.

Design and development of instant linear gel for coal bed methane gas operations

Linear gel fracturing fluids are expressed with an extensive range of materials/polymers in an aqueous base. Earlier we developed fracturing linear gel with fossil diesel, bio-diesel and also used suspending anti-settling agents and emulsifiers. Here we report on a novel and an efficient method for the preparation of linear gel direct mix with water, guar gum and sodium acetate together instantly. In this research work, we used water instead of diesel without any need to mix anti-settling agents, suspending agents, emulsifiers that resulted in 30 viscosity linear gel. Degradation pattern observed from the breaker test showed that a reduction in gel viscosity depends on time, temperature & breaker concentration. Ammonium per sulphate or Ammonium per oxidisulphate and enzyme-G were used for oxidation purpose to break the gel gradually at a particular static temperature. Observations from experiments revealed that a small concentration of breaker provides rapid break compared to oxidative breakers. This article, designing of fracturing fluids describes how to use the fluid's viscosity generated by the gelling agents like guar gum for CBM operations.

A novel hydraulic fracturing gel realization for unconventional reservoirs

Coal bed methane reservoirs possess low to ultra-low permeability. In order to improve the production from CBM wells, stimulation techniques were deployed. Background This article reviews the most cost-effective, time-saving, and eco-friendly fracturing fluid which is a mix of water, guar gum, and sodium acetate. This article also provides a detailed study of hydraulic fracturing in unconventional reservoirs. Results Unlike using diesel, biodiesel we have prepared a cost-effective frac-fluid which is not having any smoke point which depicts it as eco-friendly fluid. In this method there is no requirement of anti-settling agents, suspending agents, emulsifiers. Gel breakers are more efficient to break the linear gel. Conclusion The breakers inorganic compound ammonium persulfate and hemicellulose liquid. A reaction takes place on linear gel as it breaks slowly at down hole static temperature at 50 °C and 65 °C. So, experimental studies also prove this method is applicable for unconventional reservoir operations.