Formulation and Development of Immediate Release Tablets by Incorporating Natural Biopolymers: A Review

Immediate release (IR) drug delivery systems are widely preferred in oral pharmaceutical formulations due to their rapid disintegration and fast drug release, which result in quick therapeutic action and improved patient compliance. Natural biopolymers have emerged as promising excipients in IR tablet formulation owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and wide availability. These polymers can function as disintegrants, binders, diluents, and release modifiers, offering viable alternatives to synthetic excipients. The present review highlights formulation strategies for IR tablets, the role and mechanisms of action of natural biopolymers, their extraction and characterization techniques, evaluation parameters, and recent advancements in this field. Advantages, limitations, and future prospects of natural biopolymer-based immediate release tablets are also discussed.