Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, Drug Delivery Systems and Medical Devices M

Mucilage

Introduction to Mucilage Acacia Gum Tree

Definition - Scientific name: Acacia senegal

Mucilage
- Thick, viscid, adhesive liquids made by
dispersing gum in water or extracting the
mucilaginous (slimy material when placed in
water e.g. saluyot, gumamela) principle
from vegetable substances with water.
Components of A Mucilage
Gum Insoluble in water
- Can be called acacia gum tree or arabic
gum tree
- Light brown glue
- Colloidal in nature- has an ability for the
insoluble substances in liquid to go in water
and be suspended in the dispersed system,
which will prevent sedimentation (settling of
particles).
- Acacia powder: beige or brown in color

Water Dispersing
medium/vehicle

- It is prone to decomposition because of

water (prone to microbial growth) & should
never be made in large quantities that can
be used immediately unless a preservative
is added (to prevent the microbial growth).
- Example of Natural gum: Acacia,
Tragacanth

Uses in Pharmacy
- In pharmacy it is employed to give
adhesiveness in pill masses, and in
mixtures to hold in suspension insoluble
ingredients.
- It is sometimes used in making troches.

Tragacanth
- Astragalus gummifer Labill.
- Gum exudates from the bark and will
undergo the process of forming crystals.
The usual form of Tragacanth used in
pharmacies is in powdered form.
- Gond katira variety of gum in India
- Ayurvedic medicine traditional medicines in
India
- Tasteless but can be made sweet and can
be eaten by pregnant women