A Thorough Analysis of Natural Polymers as Functional Excipients in Contemporary Pharmaceutical Formulations

Authors

  • Antesh Kumar Jha Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8742-8215
  • Mahesh Prasad Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7329-188X
  • Shashi Shankar Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119 https://orcid.org/0009-0000-0336-0659
  • Anant Prakash Pandey Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119 https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9255-1786
  • Abhishek Singh Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119 https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3026-7459
  • Shiv Kumar Srivastava Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8356-2767

Abstract

Natural polymers' innate biocompatibility, biodegradability, and environmental friendliness have made them attractive functional excipients in contemporary pharmaceutical formulations. This study emphasizes the importance of natural polymers-such as starch, cellulose, alginate, chitosan, gelatin, and xanthan gum-derived from plant, animal, and microbial sources in the creation of cutting-edge drug delivery methods. These polymers have a variety of physicochemical characteristics, including swelling, viscosity, gel-forming capacity, and mucoadhesion, all of which are essential for regulating drug release, boosting stability, and increasing bioavailability. Natural polymers are appealing substitutes for synthetic excipients in pharmaceutical applications because they provide benefits such lower toxicity, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. The categorization, origins, and functional roles of natural polymers in biological, pharmacological, and environmental applications are also covered in the review. Their use in targeted delivery, hydrogels, nanoparticles, controlled and sustained drug delivery systems, and gene delivery systems is highlighted. Additionally, recent advancements including the invention of stimuli-responsive polymers, chemical modification, and the integration of nanotechnology have significantly enhanced their functionality and broadened their applications. Despite its advantages, challenges like unpredictability, microbial contamination, and regulatory difficulties require standardization and advanced processing techniques. All things considered, natural polymers provide a versatile and durable foundation for the development of innovative drug delivery systems, improving patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes in modern pharmaceutical sciences.

Keywords: Mucoadhesion, biocompatibility, controlled drug delivery, pharmaceutical excipients, natural polymers, and biodegradability

Keywords:

Mucoadhesion, biocompatibility, controlled drug delivery, pharmaceutical excipients, natural polymers, biodegradability

DOI

https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v16i4.7688

Author Biographies

Antesh Kumar Jha , Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Mahesh Prasad , Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Shashi Shankar , Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Anant Prakash Pandey , Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Abhishek Singh , Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Shiv Kumar Srivastava , Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

Kamla Nehru Institute of Management and Technology, NH-96 Ayodhya–Prayagraj Bypass Road, Faridipur, Sultanpur (U.P.), India, PIN – 228119

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2026-04-15
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Jha AK, Prasad M, Shankar S, Pandey AP, Singh A, Srivastava SK. A Thorough Analysis of Natural Polymers as Functional Excipients in Contemporary Pharmaceutical Formulations. J. Drug Delivery Ther. [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 15 [cited 2026 Apr. 18];16(4):165-76. Available from: https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/7688

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 4 (2026): Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2026

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Review

Copyright (c) 2026 Antesh Kumar Jha , Mahesh Prasad , Shashi Shankar , Anant Prakash Pandey , Abhishek Singh , Shiv Kumar Srivastava

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How to Cite

1.
Jha AK, Prasad M, Shankar S, Pandey AP, Singh A, Srivastava SK. A Thorough Analysis of Natural Polymers as Functional Excipients in Contemporary Pharmaceutical Formulations. J. Drug Delivery Ther. [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 15 [cited 2026 Apr. 18];16(4):165-76. Available from: https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/7688
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