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Development of sustained-release oral tablets using xanthan and tragacanth gums as release modifiers
Nohora P Manovacia Moreno1, Jessica A Bramhall2, Kush G Patel3
1Department of Chemistry, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America; New Materials Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States of America.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Tragacanth gum (TG) offers superior sustained drug release compared to xanthan gum (XG) in hydrophilic matrix tablets. TG provides effective control at lower concentrations due to its cohesive gel structure, making it an efficient natural excipient.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Materials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Hydrophilic matrix systems are crucial for sustained oral drug delivery.
- Natural polysaccharides are gaining interest as matrix formers, but their release performance is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare xanthan gum (XG) and tragacanth gum (TG) as natural matrix formers.
- To investigate the influence of polymer type, concentration, and drug solubility on release.
- To elucidate drug release mechanisms in hydrophilic matrix tablets.
Main Methods:
- Direct compression tablet preparation with varying XG and TG loadings.
- Dissolution testing using caffeine, ibuprofen, and 5-aminosalicylic acid.
- Gel-layer, swelling, erosion analyses, and kinetic modeling (Korsmeyer-Peppas).
Main Results:
- Both XG and TG controlled drug release, but TG showed superior performance.
- TG formed thinner, cohesive gels, enabling sustained release at 5% loading.
- XG required ≥25% loading, forming thick gels with faster diffusion.
- TG exhibited anomalous transport across a wider range than XG.
Conclusions:
- Tragacanth gum (TG) is a highly efficient natural matrix excipient, outperforming xanthan gum (XG).
- TG provides prolonged, uniform drug release at lower concentrations due to balanced diffusion, swelling, and relaxation.
- Mechanistic insights support TG's use in designing advanced hydrophilic matrix tablets.
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