Introduction
Many crude drugs contain carbohydrates such as sugars, gums, mucilages and polysaccharides. These compounds help plants store food and retain water, and they also have important pharmaceutical uses. Carbohydrate-containing drugs mainly act as demulcents, bulk-forming laxatives, binding agents, thickening agents and stabilizers. This chapter gives a brief and simple overview of 11 important drugs belonging to this class.
1. Agar
Agar is a dried gelatinous substance obtained from marine red algae. The main source is Gelidium and Gracilaria species. It contains agarose and agaropectin.
Uses
- Used as a laxative due to its bulk-forming property.
- Used as a gelling agent in microbiological media.
- Acts as a stabilizer and thickener in food and pharmaceuticals.
2. Isabgol Seeds
Isabgol seeds come from Plantago ovata. They contain mucilage located in the seed coat. The mucilage swells in water and forms a gel.
Uses
- Effective bulk-forming laxative.
- Helpful in constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Used as a demulcent due to soothing action.
3. Isabgol Husk
This is the outer husk removed from Isabgol seeds. It contains a higher percentage of mucilage compared to whole seeds and absorbs large amounts of water.
Uses
- Strong bulk laxative used for chronic constipation.
- Used in diarrhea due to its water-absorbing property.
- Useful for hypercholesterolemia and glycemic control.
4. Guar Gum
Obtained from the endosperm of seeds of Cyamopsis tetragonoloba. It mainly contains galactomannan polysaccharide.
Uses
- Used as a binder and disintegrant in tablets.
- Used as a thickening and stabilizing agent.
- Helpful in diarrhea and as a bulk laxative.
5. Acacia (Gum Arabic)
Acacia is a dried gummy exudate from the stem of Acacia senegal and related species. It contains arabinogalactan, a complex polysaccharide.
Uses
- Used as an emulsifying agent.
- Acts as a demulcent and soothing agent.
- Used in lozenges, syrups and suspension bases.
6. Honey
Honey is a natural sweet product prepared by bees from nectar. It contains glucose, fructose and sucrose along with enzymes and minerals.
Uses
- Used as a sweetening agent in medicines.
- Acts as a demulcent and mild laxative.
- Used in wound healing due to antimicrobial action.
7. Pectin
Pectin is a purified carbohydrate product obtained from citrus peels and apple pomace. It contains polygalacturonic acid.
Uses
- Used as a gelling agent in jellies.
- Acts as an anti-diarrheal agent by forming a protective coating.
- Used as a stabilizer in pharmaceutical products.
8. Starch
Starch is obtained from maize, potato, wheat and rice. It contains amylose and amylopectin.
Uses
- Used as a binder, disintegrant and diluent in tablet formulation.
- Acts as a demulcent and protective agent.
- Used in dusting powders.
9. Sterculia Gum (Karaya Gum)
Sterculia gum is obtained from the exudate of Sterculia urens. It contains acidic polysaccharides that swell in water.
Uses
- Used as a bulk laxative.
- Employed in dental impression materials.
- Used as a thickener in lotions and gels.
10. Tragacanth
Tragacanth is a natural gum obtained from species of Astragalus. It contains bassorin and tragacanthin.
Uses
- Used as a suspending and emulsifying agent.
- Forms stable gels useful in topical preparations.
- Acts as a demulcent in throat preparations.
11. Bael (Aegle marmelos)
Bael fruit pulp contains carbohydrates like pectin and mucilage.
Uses
- Used in diarrhea and dysentery due to its binding action.
- Mild laxative in small doses.
- Used in traditional Ayurvedic formulations.
Detailed Notes:
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