Extraction, Physicochemical Properties, and Biomedical Applications of Locust Bean Gum: A Comprehensive Review

Locust bean gum (LBG), a naturally derived polysaccharide from Ceratonia siliqua, exhibits high biocompatibility, degradability, and gel-forming capability, making it a potential contender for pharmaceutical applications. It has wide applications in drug delivery as well as wound healing because of its physicochemical characteristics, including mucoadhesive properties, swelling capability, and controlled release. This study explores the role of LBG-based composites in controlled drug release and wound dressing applications. LBG has been broadly used for drug delivery by oral, transdermal, and mucosal routes. Its mucoadhesive properties increase drug uptake, while gelation facilitates controlled and sustained drug release. Crosslinking and carboxymethylation have been used to improve its functional properties, and it has been utilised in targeted and responsive delivery systems. LBG-based hydrogels and films have also been developed for wound healing and have shown moisture retention, antimicrobial activity, and biocompatibility. Smart wound dressings with LBG and bioactive agents have enabled real-time infection monitoring with enhanced tissue regeneration. Studies have proven that LBG can improve the mechanical strength and drug-loading capacity of composite materials and is hence a potential candidate for next-generation biomedical applications. LBG-based composites hold significant potential in pharmaceuticals, particularly in wound healing and drug delivery.