title: Guar gum as platform for the oral controlled release of therapeutics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The past decade of research has witnessed a huge advancement in research efforts on guar gum (GG)-based polymers as controlled release (CR) formulations for the delivery of therapeutics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The unique structure and beneficial properties of GG makes it an attractive biomaterial in CR applications. Current status on GG-based polymers has been addressed as a CR formulation in the form of microspheres, nanoparticles, hydrogels and matrix tablets for the delivery of various types of therapeutics having a wide range of physicochemical properties. Majority of literature on GG as a platform technology has dealt with oral route of drug administration as it is the most convenient, patient-compliant and preferred approach. Recent reports on GG-based polymers are summarized and critically discussed to narrate their usefulness as oral delivery systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The research on GG-based formulations has been focused on optimization of the therapy by designing CR dosage forms with a minimum number of excipients. In this context, GG-based polymers are quite attractive. The present review summarizes published reports on these systems and offers expert opinion relevant to oral delivery of therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: S.E.T's College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Chemistry , Sangolli Rayanna Nagar, Dharwad 580 002 , India +91 944 982 1279 ; +91 836 246 7190 ; aminabhavi@yahoo.com , aminabhavit@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tejraj M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Aminabhavi
authors.forename: Mallikarjuna N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Nadagouda
authors.forename: Shrinivas D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: Uttam A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: More
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005079:Excipients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005685:Galactans / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008351:Mannans / Q000737:chemistry*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D053149:Plant Gums / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005079:Excipients; D005685:Galactans; D008351:Mannans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D053149:Plant Gums; D011108:Polymers; C007894:guar gum