A REVIEW ON NATURAL BINDERS

Sujit Tambe, Ashwini Gaikawad, Ajay Bhagwat, Avantika Gawande*, Nisha Kurkute, Swapnil Auti

Natural binders have emerged as promising alternatives to synthetic polymers in pharmaceutical formulations due to their safety, biodegradability, and cost-effectiveness. This review focuses on various natural binders derived from plant, animal, and microbial sources that are used in tablet formulation and drug delivery systems. Common examples include starch, guar gum, acacia, tragacanth, pectin, mucilage, and cellulose derivatives. The review discusses their sources, extraction methods, physicochemical characteristics, and binding mechanisms that influence tablet hardness, disintegration time, and drug release profile. Comparative studies indicate that several natural binders provide binding efficiency comparable to or better than conventional synthetic binders while minimising toxicity and environmental hazards. Moreover, recent advancements in the modification and characterisation of natural binders have expanded their application in novel drug delivery systems. Overall, natural binders represent a sustainable and effective option for modern pharmaceutical formulation, aligning with the current trend toward green and biocompatible excipients.