Abstract

NATURAL PHARMACEUTICAL EXCIPIENTS, AN OVERVIEW

*Tasneem Ara¹, Abdul Samieh Deva², Amtul Barina Deva², Nitish Bhatia³

Abstract

Pharmaceutical excipients are the inert materials which provide additional desirable characteristics to the dosage form. Although these additives are termed as inert but they have a great influence on stability, bioavailability and the process by which the dosage forms are prepared. Natural excipients are those excipients which have got natural origin. Natural excipients may be derived either from . 1. plant for example Acacia, Starch, Pectin. 2. Animals for example Gelatin, Egg yolk, wool fat 3. Minerals for example Bentonite, Veegum. In comparison to synthetic excipients, natural excipients are nontoxic, less expensive, compatible & freely available. Natural gums can also be modified & thus can compete with the synthetic biodegradable excipients available in the market.

Keywords: Excipients, Bentonite, Natural gums, Acacia.