Formulation and Evaluation of an Okra Mucilage-Based Herbal Cough Syrup as a Natural Sugar - Free Demulcent

Cough is one of the most frequently reported symptoms in respiratory tract infections and inflammatory throat conditions. Conventional cough syrups commonly contain sucrose and synthetic excipients, which may limit their use in diabetic patients and individuals preferring herbal or sugar-free formulations. This has created a need for the development of natural, safer, and patient-compliant cough preparations. In the present study, an attempt was made to formulate and evaluate a herbal cough syrup using okra mucilage (Abelmoschus esculentus) as a natural sugar-free demulcent. Okra mucilage, a plant-derived polysaccharide, possesses excellent soothing and viscosity-enhancing properties, making it suitable for relieving throat irritation. Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra) aqueous extract was selected as the active herbal ingredient due to its traditional use and proven antitussive and anti-inflammatory activities. Okra mucilage was extracted from fresh pods by aqueous extraction and incorporated into the syrup formulation along with mulethi extract, preservative, pH adjuster, and natural flavouring agent. Different formulations were prepared and evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH, viscosity, density, and clarity.The formulation included sodium saccharin as a sweetening agent and caramel colour as a colouring agent to improve palatability and appearance. Stability studies were conducted to assess the physical stability of the formulation under various storage conditions. The optimized formulation showed satisfactory physicochemical characteristics, good stability, and acceptable palatability. The findings of this study suggest that okra mucilage can be successfully used as a natural demulcent in sugar-free herbal cough syrup formulations. The developed formulation represents a promising and economical alternative to conventional cough syrups and provides scope for further pharmaceutical and clinical investigations.