Review Article
Potential OF HERBAL EXCIPIENTS
Ketaki Sonawane ,Tejas Shardul , Rutuja Gawande
ABSTRACT
Herbal excipients are natural substances derived from plants that are used in various pharmaceutical
formulations to enhance the stability, bioavailability, and adequacy of the active ingredients. They can
also serve as processing aids, protective colloids, binding agents, disintegrants, sustaining agents,
thickening agents, and gelling agents. Herbal excipients have several advantages over synthetic ones, such
as low cost, easy availability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and minimal toxicity. However, there are
also some challenges associated with herbal excipients, such as variability in quality, lack of
standardization, regulatory issues, and potential interactions with other components. This article gives an
overview of herbal excipient which are used in conventional doses form as well as novel drug delivery
system. Recent trends towards use of natural products demand the replacement of synthetic additives with
nature ones. It will also discuss some novel herbal excipients, such as phytosomes, that can improve the
performance of herbal formulations.
Introduction
The word Excipient was came from Latin word, “excipients” which mean to receive, to collect and to take out. The
standard of any formulation depends on active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), manufacturing processes and the
excipients used. Excipient plays a great role in the performance of the API and to support the safety & efficacy.
Excipients are generally used as diluents, binders, surfactants, preservatives and sweeteners in common dosage
forms like syrups, tablets and capsules . The toxicity, adverse effects and approval from regulatory authorities causes
difficulties with synthetic excipients. Due to these problems with synthetic excipients researchers show more
attraction towards the use of herbal excipients in formulations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes excipient as non-active ingredients that have been
competently analysed for safety and included in a drug delivery system to
➢ Processing assistance during development of drug delivery system.
➢ Protect aid and improve stability, bioavailability and acceptability of patients.
➢ Helps in the identification of substance .
➢ Strengthen any other feature of the drug's overall safety and effectiveness during processing or use.
In present days, herbal excipients are replacing the use of synthetic excipients in pharmaceutical industry, because of
less toxicity, easily availability and low expenses. And users are also interested in natural/herbal ingredients.
Consumers believe that herbal substances are safer in comparison to synthetic one. The modern view is that
excipients also enhance the rate of absorption and permeability of formulation. In pharmaceutical industries, Herbal
excipients are very popular in these ages.
Pharmaceutical Excipient :
Pharmaceutical excipients may be described as in-active ingredients that are merging with medicinally active
compounds to formulate the medicines. The substances, which is an in-active compound is referred as an excipient
(Additives, Adjuncts). Excipients combine with API and helps in upgrading the functioning and effectiveness of the
medicinally active Compounds. Many pharmaceutical excipients are obtained from plant origin such as-Agar,
Alginate, Starch, Carrageen a guar gum, Xanthan gum, Gelatin, Pectin, Acacia, Tragacanth, & Cellulose found in the
pharmaceutical industry as Binding agent, Disintegrates, Protectives, cellulose, Sustaining agent, thickening agent,
Base in suppositories, gelling agent, stabilizer & coating agent.
, Herbal Excipient :
Herbal excipients are those substances that are obtained from various natural sources like Plants, Animals and
Minerals and used in formulations. Herbal excipients are widely used because of its less toxicity, less side effect and
low expanses.
Classification of Excipients :
Excipients are generally classified on the basis of their application and function in the formulations:
Table 1: List of various Herbal Pharmaceutical Excipients.
Sr.NO TYPE OF EXCIPIENTS HERBAL EXCIPIENT
01 FILLERS Plant Cellulose, Gelatin, Lactose, Sucrose,
Glucose.
02 BINDERS Plant Cellulose, Gelatin, Lactose, Sucrose,
Glucose.
03 DISINTEGRANTS Silicone, Gellan gum, Agar
04 COATING AGENT Gelatin, Arabi, Natural polymers
05 LUBRICANTS Castor oil, Mineral oil, Paraffin oil.
06 GLIDANTS Vitamin D, Talc.
07 PRESERVATIVES Clove oil, Cumin seeds, Neem oil, Cayenne
pepper
08 ANTIOXIDENTS Clove oil, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Cocca
09 SWEATING AGENTS Glucose, Lactose, Honey.
10 FLAVOURING AGENTS Ginger, Raspberry, Lemon, Orange, Peppermint.
11 COLOURING AGENTS Caramel, Chlorophylls, Carotenoids, Red
beetroot, Turmeric, Saffron.
12 SOLVENT Purified water, oils.
13 CHELATING AGENTS Onions, Garlics, Chlorella, Brazil nuts.
14 BUFFERING AGENTS Lemon juice.
15 SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS Ski waxes, Tea saponins.
16 VISCOSITY IMPARTING AGENTS Gelatin, Aloe mucilage, Gums, Tragacanth.
17 EMULSIFING AGENTS Acacia gum, Gum Ghatti.
Functions of Excipients:
• Add bulk to the formulation.
• During manufacturing it helps to handle Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.
• Assist in drug administration.
• Enhance patient compliance.
• Enhance drug solubility and bioavailability of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.
• Avoid drug degradation.
• Give robust and reproducible result of formulation.
• Modify the pH and osmolarity of the liquid dosage forms.
• Prevents drug aggregation and helps in drug particles dispersion.
• Helps to mask unpleasant taste, color and odour.
• Helps to maintain stability.
Potential OF HERBAL EXCIPIENTS
Ketaki Sonawane ,Tejas Shardul , Rutuja Gawande
ABSTRACT
Herbal excipients are natural substances derived from plants that are used in various pharmaceutical
formulations to enhance the stability, bioavailability, and adequacy of the active ingredients. They can
also serve as processing aids, protective colloids, binding agents, disintegrants, sustaining agents,
thickening agents, and gelling agents. Herbal excipients have several advantages over synthetic ones, such
as low cost, easy availability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and minimal toxicity. However, there are
also some challenges associated with herbal excipients, such as variability in quality, lack of
standardization, regulatory issues, and potential interactions with other components. This article gives an
overview of herbal excipient which are used in conventional doses form as well as novel drug delivery
system. Recent trends towards use of natural products demand the replacement of synthetic additives with
nature ones. It will also discuss some novel herbal excipients, such as phytosomes, that can improve the
performance of herbal formulations.
Introduction
The word Excipient was came from Latin word, “excipients” which mean to receive, to collect and to take out. The
standard of any formulation depends on active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), manufacturing processes and the
excipients used. Excipient plays a great role in the performance of the API and to support the safety & efficacy.
Excipients are generally used as diluents, binders, surfactants, preservatives and sweeteners in common dosage
forms like syrups, tablets and capsules . The toxicity, adverse effects and approval from regulatory authorities causes
difficulties with synthetic excipients. Due to these problems with synthetic excipients researchers show more
attraction towards the use of herbal excipients in formulations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes excipient as non-active ingredients that have been
competently analysed for safety and included in a drug delivery system to
➢ Processing assistance during development of drug delivery system.
➢ Protect aid and improve stability, bioavailability and acceptability of patients.
➢ Helps in the identification of substance .
➢ Strengthen any other feature of the drug's overall safety and effectiveness during processing or use.
In present days, herbal excipients are replacing the use of synthetic excipients in pharmaceutical industry, because of
less toxicity, easily availability and low expenses. And users are also interested in natural/herbal ingredients.
Consumers believe that herbal substances are safer in comparison to synthetic one. The modern view is that
excipients also enhance the rate of absorption and permeability of formulation. In pharmaceutical industries, Herbal
excipients are very popular in these ages.
Pharmaceutical Excipient :
Pharmaceutical excipients may be described as in-active ingredients that are merging with medicinally active
compounds to formulate the medicines. The substances, which is an in-active compound is referred as an excipient
(Additives, Adjuncts). Excipients combine with API and helps in upgrading the functioning and effectiveness of the
medicinally active Compounds. Many pharmaceutical excipients are obtained from plant origin such as-Agar,
Alginate, Starch, Carrageen a guar gum, Xanthan gum, Gelatin, Pectin, Acacia, Tragacanth, & Cellulose found in the
pharmaceutical industry as Binding agent, Disintegrates, Protectives, cellulose, Sustaining agent, thickening agent,
Base in suppositories, gelling agent, stabilizer & coating agent.
, Herbal Excipient :
Herbal excipients are those substances that are obtained from various natural sources like Plants, Animals and
Minerals and used in formulations. Herbal excipients are widely used because of its less toxicity, less side effect and
low expanses.
Classification of Excipients :
Excipients are generally classified on the basis of their application and function in the formulations:
Table 1: List of various Herbal Pharmaceutical Excipients.
Sr.NO TYPE OF EXCIPIENTS HERBAL EXCIPIENT
01 FILLERS Plant Cellulose, Gelatin, Lactose, Sucrose,
Glucose.
02 BINDERS Plant Cellulose, Gelatin, Lactose, Sucrose,
Glucose.
03 DISINTEGRANTS Silicone, Gellan gum, Agar
04 COATING AGENT Gelatin, Arabi, Natural polymers
05 LUBRICANTS Castor oil, Mineral oil, Paraffin oil.
06 GLIDANTS Vitamin D, Talc.
07 PRESERVATIVES Clove oil, Cumin seeds, Neem oil, Cayenne
pepper
08 ANTIOXIDENTS Clove oil, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Cocca
09 SWEATING AGENTS Glucose, Lactose, Honey.
10 FLAVOURING AGENTS Ginger, Raspberry, Lemon, Orange, Peppermint.
11 COLOURING AGENTS Caramel, Chlorophylls, Carotenoids, Red
beetroot, Turmeric, Saffron.
12 SOLVENT Purified water, oils.
13 CHELATING AGENTS Onions, Garlics, Chlorella, Brazil nuts.
14 BUFFERING AGENTS Lemon juice.
15 SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS Ski waxes, Tea saponins.
16 VISCOSITY IMPARTING AGENTS Gelatin, Aloe mucilage, Gums, Tragacanth.
17 EMULSIFING AGENTS Acacia gum, Gum Ghatti.
Functions of Excipients:
• Add bulk to the formulation.
• During manufacturing it helps to handle Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.
• Assist in drug administration.
• Enhance patient compliance.
• Enhance drug solubility and bioavailability of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.
• Avoid drug degradation.
• Give robust and reproducible result of formulation.
• Modify the pH and osmolarity of the liquid dosage forms.
• Prevents drug aggregation and helps in drug particles dispersion.
• Helps to mask unpleasant taste, color and odour.
• Helps to maintain stability.
