*Corresponding author. : Abhishek Jain, Dept. of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Sinhgad Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lonavala, Pune; E-mail: abhishekjain533@gmail.com 123 Int. J. Pharm. Med. Res. 2014; 2(4):123-127 ISSN: 2347-7008 International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Research Journal homepage: www.ijpmr.org Review Article Natural Excipients-An Alternative to Synthetic Excipients: A Comprehensive Review Abhishek Jain 1 *, Pinky Radiya 2 , Raju Wadekar 1 , Saleel Limaye 1 , Chetan Pawar 2 1 Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Sinhgad Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lonavala, Pune, India 2 Department of Pharmaceutics, Sinhgad Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lonavala, Pune, India ARTICLE INFO: Article history: Received: 18 July 2014 Received in revised form: 25 August 2014 Accepted: 28 August 2014 Available online: 30 August 2014 Keywords: Active pharmaceutical ingredient Efficacy Natural Excipients Safety ABSTRACT Though the utilization of natural excipients to deliver the bioactive agents has been hampered by the synthetic materials, but the added advantages offered by these natural excipients are their being non-toxic, less expensive and freely available. The performance of the excipients to some extent determines the quality of the medicines. The traditional concept of the excipients as any constituent other than the active substance has undergone a substantial evolution from an inert and cheap vehicle to an essential constituent of the formulation. Earlier used natural excipients are carrageenan, thaumatin, lard, shilajit, aerosil, myrobalan, storax. Excipients are any component other than the active substances deliberately added to formulation of a dosage form for it proper formulation. Novel drug delivery systems are developed to address the challenges of drug development such as bioavailability, permeability, and poor solubility. Global excipients markets are expected to grow rapidly with the emerging trends in the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry is marketing refinement in the physical structure of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The present review would facilitate to comprehend various natural excipients and their role in pharmaceutical products. 1. Introduction An excipients (derived from words excipere to take out, receive) may be defined as any substances mixed with the active pharmaceutical ingredient to give it consistency or used as a vehicle for its administration. It is impossible for any active pharmaceutical ingredient to have properties that allow incorporation in a therapeutic product that meets all the mentioned requirements. Therefore, every therapeutic product is a combination of drug and excipients. The traditional concept of the excipients as any component other than the active substance has undergone a substantial evolution from an inert and cheap vehicle to an essential constituent of the formulation. The pharmaceutical industry is marketing refinement in the physical structure of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This article gives an overview of natural excipients which are used in conventional dosage forms as well as novel drug delivery systems[1-3]. Natural Excipients Natural excipients and derivatives occur ubiquitously throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. Examples of polymers or derivatives that have been used or investigated as vaccine adjuvants are:- • Individual saponins derived from the South American tree Quillaja saponaria. • Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), a nonheme copper containing protein found in anthropods. • MPL, a monophosphoryl derivative of the Lipid A molecule found in gram-negative bacteria. • Leishmania elongation initiation factor (LeIF), a protein produced by the parasite leishmania. • Ricin, a potent immunotoxin obtained from the seeds of castorbean plants[2]. Classification of Excipients Excipients are commonly classified according to their application and function in the drug products: • Binders, Diluents • Lubricants, Glidants, Disintegrants • Polishing agents, Film formers and coatings agents • Plasticizers, Colorings • Suspending agents Preservatives, antioxidants • Flavorings, Sweeteners, Taste improving agents • Printing inks, Dispersing agents[4]