A Review of Natural vs. Synthetic Disintegrants: Comparative Study and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Introduction: This article compares natural and synthetic superdisintegrants used in tablet and capsule formulations for quick dissolution of tablets. Superdisintegrants like mucilage, croscarmellose, sodium starch glycolate, and poly vinyl pyrrolidone increase mechanical strength and dissolution efficiency at lower concentrations. Oro-dispersible technology has gained attention due to its rapid disintegration time, facilitating swallowing and reducing choking risks. The review evaluates performance, compatibility with API, cost effectiveness, biocompatibility, regulatory considerations, toxicity, safety, and quality standards. The focus is on performance, compatibility, cost effectiveness, biocompatibility, regulatory considerations, toxicity, safety, and quality standards

Objectives: This review aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of natural and synthetic disintegrants in pharmaceutical formulations. It examines their effectiveness, mechanism of action, compatibility with different drug types, and impact on formulation properties. Additionally, the review discusses the current trends, challenges, and future perspectives in the use of disintegrants, providing valuable insights for researchers and pharmaceutical professionals.

Conclusions: The study compares synthetic and natural superdisintegrants in drug formulations, revealing their unique functions and characteristics. Natural superdisintegrants, sourced from plants, offer biocompatibility, biodegradability, and sustainability, making them ideal for quick dissolution. However, they have drawbacks like allergenicity and batch variability. Synthetic superdisintegrants, on the other hand, provide consistency, homogeneity, and high disintegration efficiency, making them suitable for formulations with poorly soluble active components. Despite their advantages, formulation development must consider potential toxicity and environmental effects. The study offers hope for further advancements in pharmaceutical formulation technology.