INTRODUCTION:

In the present context of the research work, numbers of natural derivatives are being used in the synthesis of hydrogels^1-25. In this gum with natural origin and ability to degrade biologically has given an edge to the researchers to employ them in the development of hydrogels^26-41. Gum tragacanthis one such natural gum which is being under investigation in the past. In present scenario, numbers of biodegradable polymers are under ongoing research using Gum tragacanthas the natural backbone. Gum tragacanthisone among the most utilized excipients in the pharmaceutical formulations too.

Pharmachemistry and Pharmacognostic aspects of Gum tragacanth:^42-44

Gum tragacanth is the anionic and branched carbohydrate with assortment of polysaccharides resulting in the heterogeneous structure. It is composed of two major portions tragacanthin (non-swellable/water soluble) and bassorin (swellable/non-water soluble).

Tragacanthin is composed of:

1. Tragacanthic acid (residues of d-galacturonic acid, d-xylose, l-fucose, and d-galactose)

2. Aarabinogalactan (residues of l-arabinose, d-galactose, and d-galacturonic acid)

The different species of Gum tragacanth varies in the ratio of both tragacanthin and bassorin. This variation results in the different rheological, physicochemical properties and pharmaceutical applications of Gum tragacanth.

Figure 1: Represent the chemical composition of Gum tragacanth.⁴⁴

Biological Source:

Gum tragacanthis biologically obtained by incision from stem and branches of Astragalus gummifer L., Astragalus membranaceus

Family: Leguminosae

Colour: White or Pale Yellowish

Odour: Odourless

Taste: Mucilaginous

Shape: Thin, flattened ribbon like flakes, more or

less curved.

Size: 25×12×2 mm in size.

· The gum is horny, translucent, with transverse and longitudinal ridges. Fractures of drug are short.

· It is partly soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol.

Chemical constituents: It contains two fractions

1. Tragacanthin 8 – 10% and is water soluble.

2. Bassorin 60 – 70% and is insoluble in water

a. Tragacanth contains 15% of methoxy group; it swells in water and is responsible for high viscosity.

b. 1% solution of tragacanth has 250 centipoises viscosity.

c. The products of hydrolysis of tragacanth are galactouronic acid, D- galactopyranose, L-arabino-rhamnose and D-xylopyranose.

Polymeric Aspects of Gum tragacanth:

Prashar et al., (2012) Synthesized, characterized and evaluated of electrical stimulus sensitive behavior of Gt-cl-poly(AA) superabsorbent hydrogel using distilled water and artificial biological electrolytic system with 10V AC/DC source at 37°C.⁴⁴

Moradi et al., (2018) synthesized the photo-luminescent nano carbon dots using hydrothermal carbonization technique using Gum tragacanthand chitosan. This combination of the two natural materials provides the favorable luminescent properties and exhibited good photo-stability.⁴⁵

Ghayempour et al., (2015) used Tragacanth gum to produce nanocapsules containing plant extract through microemulsion method.⁴⁶

Hemmati and Ghaemy (2016) synthesized the new pH/temperature responsive graft copolymers based on natural Tragacanth Gum carbohydrate and investigated controlled drug release of quercetin.⁴⁷

Nur et al., (2016) utilized Tragacanth as an oral peptide and protein delivery carrier. The results of the study showed that Tragacanth has a potential to be used as an excipient for peptide/protein delivery.⁴⁸

Masoumi and Ghaemy (2014) carried out the Isotherm and kinetic study using nanohydrogel tragacanth gum-grafted-polyamidoxime for the removal of metal from water. This new biosorbent proves to be successful in removing the heavy metal ions.⁴⁹

Prashar (2017) synthesized the gum tragacanth-cl-poly (AA) hydrogel alongwith the Salt, pH and Electrical Responsive Properties study. The result of the research work suggested that this polymer can be used for targeted drug delivery system as carrier.⁵⁰

Saklani et al., (2012) through his review work highlighted the Pharmaco-Economical Overview of Natural Gums and Hydrocolloids including gum tragacanth.⁵¹

Prashar (2011) carried out Swelling Studies of Gt-Cl-Poly (AA) With Response to Time, Temperature and pH.⁵²

Prashar et al., (2011) reviewed the Hydrocolloids Based Colon Specific Drug Delivery. In this paper it was suggested that the Gum tragacanthbased hydrogels can be utilized for the delivery of colon specific drugs.⁵³

Heydary et al., (2015) formulated A Novel Nano-Fiber of Iranian Gum Tragacanth-Polyvinyl Alcohol/Nanoclay Composite for Wound Healing Applications. The study reveals that with a higher percentage of IGT in the blend nanofibers, superior degradation, higher chemical and mechanical stability could be obtained. Moreover, the blend nanofibers with 80/20 with 3% NC exhibit improvement in unique properties compared to pure PVA/IGT.⁵⁴

Darroudi et al., (2013) synthesized the sol gel to study the neurotoxicity effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles using gum tragacanth. The synthesized ZnO-NPs using Gum tragacanthwere found to be comparable to those obtained from conventional reduction methods using hazardous polymers or surfactants and this method can be an excellent alternative for the synthesis of ZnO-NPs using biomaterials.⁵⁵

Rasulet al., (2010) carried out in-vitro evaluation of metoprolol tartrate tablets containing xanthan-tragacanth.⁵⁶ The research work was undertaken to develop oral sustained release tablets of metoprolol tartrate using natural hydrophilic matrix formers (xanthan gum and tragacanth). Sustained release matrix tablets of metoprolol tartrate were prepared by using different ratios of drug, xanthan gum and tragacanth. The results showed that the formulation F9 containing 30% xanthan gum and 10% Gum tragacanthis the most similar to that of the reference marketed preparation.

Chauhan et al., (2017) carried out the Rheological, structural and morphological studies of Gum tragacanthand its inorganic SiO2 nanocomposite for fracturing fluid application.⁵⁷ the prepared polymer nanocomposite offers improved rheological properties with enhanced proppant carrying capacity. Moreover, synthesized nano-composite gel is thermally stable upto 175°C and leaves less residue compared to guar or CMHPG gels.

CONCLUSION:

From the present review work it can be suggested that Gum tragacanth can be utilized as the backbone for the preparation of polymers. The mechanical strength, viscosity and its varied composition provides and edge to this natural gum over the others. The electrical stimulus nature of the hydrogel can further be incorporated in the development of artificial nerves and tissues. The pH and thermo-responsive nature of the Gum tragacanth based polymers makes it suitable for the different drug delivery system. Hence it can be concluded that Gum tragacanth alone and in combination with other natural polysaccharides can prove to be an outstanding pharmaceutical excipients in future too.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

NIL

REFERENCES:

1. Lee SC, Kwon IK, Park K. Hydrogels for delivery of bioactive agents: A historical perspective. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 2013;65(1):17-20. doi:10.1016/j.addr.2012.07.015

2. Yoshida R, Sakai T, Hara Y, Maeda S, Hashimoto S, Suzuki D, Murase Y. Self-oscillating gel as novel biomimetic materials. Journal of Controlled Release 2009;140: 186–193.

3. Misra GP, Siegel RA. New mode of drug delivery: long term autonomous rhythmic hormone release across a hydrogel membrane. Journal of Controlled Release 2002;81: 1–6.

4. Kim JJ, Park K. Modulated insulin delivery from glucose-sensitive hydrogel dosage forms. Journal of Controlled Release 2001;77: 39–47.

5. Kang SI, Bae YH. A sulfonamide based glucose-responsive hydrogel with covalently immobilized glucose oxidase and catalase. Journal of Controlled Release 2003;86: 115-121.

6. He C, Kim SW, Lee DS. In situ gelling stimuli-sensitive block copolymer hydrogels for drug delivery. Journal of Controlled Release 2008;127: 189-207.

7. Wichterle O, Lim D. Hydrophilic gels for biological use. Nature 1960;185: 117-118.

8. Qiu Y, Park K. Environmentally-sensitive polymer hydrogels. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 2001;53: 321-339.

9. Peppas NA, Van Blarcom DS. Hydrogel-based biosensors and sensing devices for drug delivery. Journal of Controlled Release 2016 Oct 28;240: 142-150. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2015.11.022.

10. Culver HR, Clegg JR, Peppas NA. Analyte-Responsive Hydrogels: Intelligent Materials for Biosensing and Drug Delivery. Accounts of Chemical Research2017 Feb 21;50(2):170-178. doi: 10.1021/ acs.accounts.6b00533.

11. Byrne ME, Park K, Peppas NA. Molecular imprinting within hydrogels. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 2002 Jan 17;54(1):149-161. doi: 10.1016/s0169-409x(01)00246-0.

12. Puoci F, Iemma F, Picci N. Stimuli-responsive molecularly imprinted polymers for drug delivery: a review. Current Drug Delivery2008;5(2):85-96. doi: 10.2174/156720108783954888.

13. Dhanashree S, Priyanka M, Manisha K, Vilasrao K. Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: Novel Discovery for Drug Delivery. Current Drug Delivery 2016;13(5):632-645. doi: 10.2174/ 1567201813666160101120238.

14. Li B, Xu J, Hall AJ, Haupt K, Tse Sum Bui B. Water-compatible silica sol-gel molecularly imprinted polymer as a potential delivery system for the controlled release of salicylic acid. Journal of Molecular Recognition 2014;27(9):559-565. doi: 10.1002/ jmr.2383.

15. Concu R, Cordeiro MN. Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of the Selectivity of a Silica Polymer for Ibuprofen. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2016 7;17(7):1083. doi: 10.3390/ ijms17071083.

16. Perale G, Rossi F, Sundstrom E, Bacchiega S, Masi M, Forloni G, Veglianese P. Hydrogels in spinal cord injury repair strategies. ACS Chemical Neuroscience2011 20;2(7):336-345. doi: 10.1021/ cn200030w.

17. Grijalvo S, Nieto-Diaz M, Maza RM, Eritja R, Diaz DD. Alginate Hydrogels as Scaffolds and Delivery Systems to Repair the Damaged Spinal Cord. Biotechnology Journal 2019;14(12): e1900275. doi: 10.1002/biot.201900275.

18. Baumann MD, Kang CE, Tator CH, Shoichet MS. Intrathecal delivery of a polymeric nanocomposite hydrogel after spinal cord injury. Biomaterials 2010;31(30):7631-7639. doi: 10.1016/ j.biomaterials.2010.07.004.

19. Rasheed N, Mohammad AS, Farheen S, Zubair S. Simultaneous Formulation Development, Evaluation and Estimation of Innovative Controlled Release Tablets of Bosentan Formulated with Varied Polymers. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2016; 6(4): 235-245.

20. Goudanavar P, Hiremath D, Spandana D, Reddy SR. Development and Evaluation of Fast Disintegrating Tablets of Granisetron HCl with Natural and Synthetic Polymers. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2011; 1(3): 72-77.

21. Indalkar YR, Pimpodkar NV, Gaikwad PS, Godase AS. A Comprehensive Review on Biodegradable Polymers. Asian Journal ofResearch in Pharmaceutical Science 2016; 6(2): 65-76.

22. Kalbhare SB, Bhandwalkar MJ, Pawar RK, Sagre AR. Sodium Alginate cross-linked Polymeric Microbeads for oral Sustained drug delivery in Hypertension: Formulation and Evaluation. Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Science 2020; 10(3):153-157.

23. Thakur B, Pandit V, Ashawat MS, Kumar P. Natural and Synthetic Polymers for Colon Targeted Drug Delivery. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Technology 2016; 6(1): 35-44.

24. David SB, Gnana Raj GA. Synthesis, Characterization and Biodegradable Studies of Oil Based Polymers from Triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate and Vinylacetate. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry 2011; 4(7): 1092-1096.

25. Dontulwar JR, Borikar DK. Biodegradation Studies of Selected Polymers of Carbohydrate Origin. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry 2012; 5(2): 197-199.

26. Xiao Yu H. Synthesis and properties of novel hydrogels from oxidized Konjac glucomannan cross linked gelation for in-vitro drug delivery.Carbohydrate Polymers 2008; 72: 479-489.

27. Singh B, Dhiman A. Design of Acacia Gum–Carbopol–Cross-Linked-Polyvinylimidazole Hydrogel Wound Dressings for Antibiotic/Anesthetic Drug Delivery.Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research 2016; 55 (34), 9176-9188.doi: 10.1021/ acs.iecr.6b01963.

28. Khan M, Shah LA, Rehman T, Khan A, Iqbal A, Ullah M, Alam S. Synthesis of physically cross-linked gum Arabic-based polymer hydrogels with enhanced mechanical, load bearing and shape memory behavior. Iranian Polymer Journal 2020; 29, 351–360. doi: 10.1007/s13726-020-00801-z

29. Patil SB, Inamdar SZ, Reddy KR, Raghu AV, Soni SK, Kulkarni RV. Novel biocompatible poly (acrylamide)-grafted-dextran hydrogels: synthesis, characterization and biomedical applications. Journal of Microbiological Methods 2019; 159:200–210.

30. Xing L, Ma Y, Tan H, Yuan G, Li S, Li J, Jia Y, Zhou T, Niu X, Hu X. Alginate membrane dressing toughened by chitosan floccule to load antibacterial drugs for wound healing. Polymer Testing 2019; 79:106039

31. Bian H, Jiao L, Wang R, Wang X, Zhu W, Dai H. Lignin nanoparticles as nano-spacers for tuning the viscoelasticity of cellulose nanofibril reinforced polyvinyl alcohol-borax hydrogel. European Polymer Journal 2018; 107:267-274.

32. Liu C, Tan Y, Xu K, Hua M, Huo XH, Sun YS. A novel designed high strength and thermoresponsive double network hydrogels cross-linked by starch-based microspheres. Iranian Polymer Journal2018; 27:889-897.

33. Kurt A. Physicochemical, rheological and structural characteristics of alcohol precipitated fraction of gum tragacanth. Food and Health, 2018; 4(3), 183-193. doi: 10.3153/FH18019

34. Salve PS. Development and in vitro evaluation colon targeted drug delivery system using natural gums. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2011; 1(4): 91-101.

35. Jambukiya VV, Parmar RB, Dudhrejiya AV, Tank HM, Limbachiya VD. Enhancement of Solubility and Dissolution Rate of Poorly Water Soluble Drug by Using Modified Guar Gum. Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences 2013; 3(1): 25-30.

36. Jangdey MS, Gupta A, Sah AK. Development and Evaluation of Mucoadhesive Sustained Release Tablet using Tamarindus indica Gum. Asian Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2014; 4(2): 77-82.

37. HarikrishnanV, Madhusudhan S, Santhiagu A. Evaluation of a Novel, Natural Badam Gum as a Sustained Release and Mucoadhesive Component of Tizanidine HCl Buccal Tablets. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology 2015; 5(2):71-78.

38. Shende MA, Gupta PK. Formulation Development of Propranolol Hydrochloride Sustained Release Prunus amygdalus Gum Based Mucoadhesive Buccal Matrices. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology 2017; 7 (4): 181-188.

39. Reddy YK, Umera F. Formulation and Evaluation of Sustained release matrix tablets of Atomoxetine HCl by using Natural and Synthetic Polymers. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology 2020; 10(1):43-47.

40. Shaikh MMM, Lonikar MS, Lonikar SV. Gum acacia-acrylic acid hydrogels: pH sensitive materials for drug delivery system. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry 2014; 7(4): 407-411.

41. Panwar S, Loonker S. Synthesis of Novel Film of Poly Vinyl Alcohol Modified Guar Gum with Tamarind seed Kernel Powder and its Characterization. Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry 2017; 10(5): 616-620.

42. Sharma DR, Sharma A, Kaundal A, Rai PK. Herbal gums and mucilage as excipients for Pharmaceutical Products. Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2016; 8(3): 145-152.

43. http://www.epharmacognosy.com/2012/03/tragacanth-gum-tragacanth.html

44. Prashar D, Kaith BS, Kalia S, Sharma S. Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of electrical stimulus sensitive behavior of Gt-cl-poly(AA) superabsorbent hydrogel. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 2012; 4(1); 419-423.

45. Moradi S, Sadrjavadi K, Farhadian N, Hosseinzadeh L, Shahlaei M. Easy synthesis, characterization and cell cytotoxicity of green nano carbon dots using hydrothermal carbonization of Gum tragacanthand chitosan bio-polymers for bioimaging. Journal of Molecular Liquids 2018; 259: 284-290.doi: 10.1016/ j.molliq.2018.03.054.

46. Ghayempour S, Montazer M, Rad MM. Tragacanth gum as a natural polymeric wall for producing antimicrobial nanocapsules loaded with plant extract. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2015; 81: 514-520.doi: 10.1016/ j.ijbiomac.2015.08.041.

47. Hemmati K, Ghaemy M. Synthesis of new thermo/pH sensitive drug delivery systems based on tragacanth gum polysaccharide. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2016;87: 415-425.doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.03.005.

48. Nur M, Ramchandran L, Vasiljevic T. Tragacanth as an oral peptide and protein delivery carrier: Characterization and Mucoadhesion. Carbohydrate Polymers 2016; 143: 223-230.doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.01.074.

49. Masoumi A, Ghaemy M. Removal of metal ions from water using nanohydrogel tragacanth gum-g-polyamidoxime: Isotherm and kinetic study. Carbohydrate Polymers 2014; 108: 206-215. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.02.083.

50. Prashar D. Synthesis of Gum Tragacanth-Cl-Poly (Acrylic Acid) Superabsorbent Hydrogels with Salt, pH and Electrical Responsive Properties. UK Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biosciences 2017; 5(5): 06-13. doi: 10.20510/ukjpb/5/i5/166549.

51. Saklani S, Sharma K, Sharma P, Sharma A, Sood M, Prashar D. Pharmaco-Economical Overview of Natural Gums and Hydrocolloids. Research Journal of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Technology 2012; 4(5): 256-259.

52. Prashar D. Swelling studies of Gt-cl-poly (AA) with response to time, temperature and pH properties. International Journal of Current Research and Review 2011; 03(10) 75-82.

53. Prashar D, Mittal H, Kumar R. Hydrocolloids Based Colon Specific Drug Delivery.Asian Journal of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Research2011; 3 (1):144-154.

54. Heydary HA, Karamian E, Poorazizi E, Khandan A, Heydaripour J. A Novel Nano-Fiber of Iranian Gum Tragacanth-Polyvinyl Alcohol/Nanoclay Composite for Wound Healing Applications. Procedia Materials Science 2015; 11: 176-182. doi: 10.1016/ j. mspro.2015.11.079.

55. Darroudi M, Sabouri Z, Oskuee RK, Zak AK, Kargar H, Hamid MHNA. Sol–gel synthesis, characterization, and neurotoxicity effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles using gum tragacanth. Ceramics International 2013; 39(8): 9195-9199.doi:10.1016/ j.ceramint.2013.05.021.

56. Rasul A, Iqbal M, Murtaza G, Waqas MK, Hanif M, Khan SA, Bhatti NS. Design, Development and In-Vitro Evaluation of Metoprolol Tartrate Tablets Containing Xanthan-Tragacanth. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica - Drug Research 2010; 67 (5): 517-522.

57. Chauhan G, Verma A, Hazarika A, Ojha K. Rheological, structural and morphological studies of Gum tragacanthand its inorganic SiO₂ nanocomposite for fracturing fluid application. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 2017; 80: 978-988.doi: 10.1016/j.jtice.2017.08.039.

Received on 04.10.2020 Modified on 24.10.2020

Asian J. Pharm. Tech. 2021; 11(1):72-75.

DOI: 10.5958/2231-5713.2021.00012.X