Due to advances in drug delivery technology, currently, excipients are included in novel dosage forms to fulfil specific functions and in some cases they directly or indirectly influence the extent and/or rate of drug release and drug absorption. Recent trends towards use of plant based and natural products demand the replacement of synthetic additives with natural ones. Today, the whole world is increasingly interested in natural drugs and excipients. These natural materials have many advantages over synthetic ones as they are chemically inert, nontoxic, less expensive, biodegradable, and widely available. This review discusses majority of the plant-derived polymeric compounds (gums and mucilage’s), their sources, chemical constituents, uses, and some recent investigations as excipients in novel drug delivery systems. 1. Introduction In recent years, polymers those are derived from plant origin have evoked tremendous interest because of their diverse pharmaceutical applications such as diluent, binder, disintegrant in tablets, thickeners in oral liquids, protective colloids in suspensions, gelling agents in gels, and bases in suppository [1]. They are also used in cosmetics, paints, textiles, and paper making [2]. These natural gums and mucilages are preferred over the synthetic ones because they are biocompatible, cheap, and easily available than the synthetic ones. Also the natural excipients are preferred on the synthetic and semisynthetic ones because of their lack of toxicity, low cost, soothing action, availability, and nonirritant nature of the excipients [3–6]. Demand for these substances is increasing and new sources are being developed. India, because of its geographical and environmental position, has traditionally been a good source for such products among the Asian countries. 1.1. Gums and Mucilage’s Gums are considered to be pathological products, formed by giving injury to the plant or due to unfavourable conditions, such as drought, by breakdown of cell walls (extra cellular formation: gummosis). Mucilages are generally normal products of metabolism (physiological products), formed within the cell (intracellular formation). Gums readily dissolve in water, whereas, mucilage form slimy masses. Both gums and mucilages are plant hydrocolloids yielding mixture of sugars and uronic acids on hydrolysis [7]. Classification is based on source:(a)marine origin/algal (seaweed) gums: agar, carrageenans, alginic acid, and laminarin;(b)plant origin:(i)shrubs/tree exudates: gum arabic, gum ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, and khaya and albizia
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