Abstract
Hydrocolloids are polymeric substances with mild to moderate surface activity. They are widely used as excipients in drug delivery systems where they serve various purposes such as suspending, emulsifying, wetting, foaming, solubilizing, stabilizing and bioadhesive agents as well as permeation enhancers. The surface activity and pharmaceutical applications of some hydrocolloids were reviewed in this study. The review showed that most natural hydrocolloids are characterized by higher critical micelle concentrations (CMC) compared to semisynthetic and synthetic ones. Cashew and khaya gums (exudates gums) with hydrophile – lipophile balance (HLB) values in the range of 15 - 18 possess solubilizing property. Dispersions of afzelia and prosopis gums (seed gums) have higher viscosity compared to acacia gum and may produce more stable disperse systems. Semisynthetic and synthetic hydrocolloids like sodium carboxyl methylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone are characterized by low CMC and exhibit very high surface elasticity at concentrations above CMC thus exhibiting high bioadhesive strength. Therefore, surface activity is the basis for most pharmaceutical applications of hydrocolloids and the application of individual hydrocolloid depends on its adsorption power, CMC, HLB value and bioadhesive strength.
Highlights
Hydrocolloids are extensively utilized in the formulation of many drug delivery systems including solid, liquid and semisolid formulations (Ibezim et al, 2006; Mahmud et al, 2009)
Surface activity is the basis for most pharmaceutical applications of hydrocolloids and the application of individual hydrocolloid depends on its adsorption power, critical micelle concentrations (CMC), hydrophile – lipophile balance (HLB) value and bioadhesive strength
The results showed that prosopis gum is highly bioadhesive compared to sodium carboxyl methylcellulose and that it could be used to deliver theophylline in a bioadhesive dosage form (Attama et al, 2000)
Summary
Hydrocolloids are extensively utilized in the formulation of many drug delivery systems including solid, liquid and semisolid formulations (Ibezim et al, 2006; Mahmud et al, 2009). They are used due to their low cost, non-toxicity, high biodegradability and high compatibility with drugs (Ofori-Kwakye et al, 2010). The study of interfaces has eventually developed into a separate branch of chemistry, called ‘'Surface Chemistry'' This came as a result of the increasing interest in the science and its wide industrial applications such as in textile, food, drink and pharmaceutical industries (Munoz et al, 2007). Olorunsola and Adedokun / Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 4 (10); 2014: 110-116
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