Abstract
Natural plant-derived polysaccharides are gaining prominence as green alternatives to synthetic polymers in pharmaceutical and food sciences. Abelmoschus esculentus mucilage, a complex carbohydrate composed primarily of rhamnose, galactose, and galacturonic acid, presents a suite of physicochemical properties ideal for modern formulation challenges. Its high swelling capacity, pH-dependent viscosity, and biocompatibility facilitate its role as a robust binder and a rate-retardant matrix in controlled-release systems. Extraction techniques, ranging from conventional aqueous maceration to solvent-assisted precipitation, significantly influence the polymer’s molecular weight and subsequent functional performance. Apart from its utility as a pharmaceutical excipient, the gum exhibits significant therapeutic potential, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-adhesive activities against gastric pathogens like Helicobacter pylori. In food technology, it serves as a natural stabilizer and emulsifier, enhancing the textural and nutritional profiles of functional foods. Systematic characterization via thermal analysis and rheological profiling confirms its stability and versatility. The synergy between its mechanical integrity and biological activity establishes okra gum as an important excipient in the transition toward green pharmaceutical manufacturing and personalized nutraceutical development. Its ability to modulate drug release kinetics, particularly for high-dose medications like Metformin hydrochloride, shows its practical utility in improving patient adherence and therapeutic outcomes. Okra gum meets the rigorous demands of global regulatory standards for pharmaceutical adjuvants as a non-toxic, biodegradable, and cost-effective material.
Introduction
Natural polymers derived from botanical sources are high molecular weight, water-soluble macromolecules characterized by monosaccharide units interconnected via glycosidic linkages. The demand for these natural gums has escalated within the pharmaceutical sector due to their inherent biodegradability, low toxicity, and capacity to modulate drug release profiles in sophisticated delivery systems [1]. Abelmoschus esculentus, a prominent member of the Malvaceae family, is widely recognized as a versatile vegetable crop cultivated extensively in tropical and subtropical climates. Apart from its dietary value, the plant is a significant source of a polysaccharide-rich mucilage known as okra gum.
The primary value of okra gum lies in its role as a multifunctional excipient. In solid oral dosage forms, its hydrophilic nature allows for the formation of a viscous gel layer upon hydration, which acts as a diffusion barrier to retard the release of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This mechanism is particularly advantageous for sustained-release formulations, where increasing the biological half-life of a drug is necessary to reduce dosing frequency [2, 3]. The mucoadhesive properties of the gum permit localized drug delivery at specific physiological sites, enhancing bioavailability.
Recent investigations have focused on the application of okra gum in compression-coated tablets and gastro-retentive systems. For instance, drugs with narrow absorption windows or short half-lives, such as Metformin hydrochloride a biguanide used in the management of Type II diabetes require specialized delivery strategies. Metformin possesses an oral bioavailability of approximately 40–60% and a plasma elimination half-life of 6 hours, necessitating multiple daily doses [4]. Incorporating okra gum into the matrix of such medications provides a controlled release mechanism that maintains therapeutic plasma levels and improves patient compliance.
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Functional and Physicochemical Properties of Abelmoschus esculentus Mucilage as a Versatile Biopolymer for Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Applications, Krishnaveni Vydani, Bhavana Ganta, Teja Sri Dandingi, Sandhya Karri, Naga Satish Nemala, Satya Vanaja Durga Sadanala, Publication history: Received on 22nd November 2025; Revised on 3rd January 2026; Accepted on 7th January 2026, Article DOI: 10.69613/2ze16346
