Exploration of Basella alba mucilage as a novel adjuvant in Pharmaceutical Formulation

Basella alba is a commonly available plant having significant quantity of mucilage present in its leaves and stem. The review focuses on the method of extraction of mucilage, its chemical composition, monosaccharide composition and various chemical and physical properties of mucilage. The rheological properties of B. alba mucilage, exhibiting pseudoplastic flow enable it to be used for formulating artificial human saliva. The B. alba mucilage is found to be used as disintegrating agent, binding agent, suspending agent, matrix former, gelling agent, encapsulating agent and as release retardant in pharmaceutical formulation. The properties of mucilage have been evaluated against standard excipient and confirmed of their adjuvant properties. The mucilage also possesses drag reducing ability due to which it can be used as natural flow improver in pipelines for reducing the frictional pressure drop. The plant is rapidly growing, commonly available and possesses wide additive properties; even then it remains under- utilized as pharmaceutical excipient so its versatility in targeted drug delivery, micro-/nano-drug delivery, tissue engineering and stimuli responsive delivery system is highly desirable. Apart from this, several opportunities of mucilage which are left unexplored is discussed in the review like formation of BioMEMS, formation of microneedles and as theranostic agents. Thus, the review explores various pharmaceutical applications and opportunities of B. alba mucilage to act as smart novel carrier in pharmaceutical formulation.