Natural gum-based microballoons represent a promising advancement in gastroretentive and colon-targeted drug delivery systems, leveraging the biocompatibility, biodegradability, and functional versatility of plant- and microbial- derived polysaccharides. This systematic review explores the formulation, characterization, and therapeutic applications of microballoons fabricated using natural gums such as guar, xanthan, gellan, and gum arabic. These hollow microspheres exhibit low density and prolonged gastric residence, enabling sustained drug release and improved bioavailability for drugs with narrow absorption windows or local gastrointestinal targets. Preparation techniques—including solvent evaporation, spray drying, and ionotropic gelation—are critically evaluated for their impact on particle morphology, buoyancy, encapsulation efficiency, and release kinetics. The review highlights the physicochemical properties of individual gums, their modification strategies, and their role in modulating drug diffusion and matrix erosion. Applications span across gastroretentive delivery of antibiotics, colon-specific release of anti-inflammatory agents, and localized chemotherapy. Despite formulation challenges such as gum variability and scalability, natural gum-based microballoons offer a sustainable and adaptable platform for controlled oral drug delivery. Future prospects include integration with smart polymers and nanotechnology to enhance site-specificity and clinical translation.

Articles Details

NAMES:

ONLINE ISSN:2456-8244

Keywords: Natural gums, Microballoons, Gastroretentive drug delivery, Colon-targeted therapy, Controlled release systems

DOI:

Abstract FullText PDF

REFERENCES

Abbaraju, K. S., & Begum, N. (2025). Microballoons/ Hollow Microspheres: A Novel 
Approach in Gastro-Retention Floating Drug Delivery System (FDDS). Journal of General 
Medicine and Clinical Practice, 8(6). https://doi.org/10.31579/2639-4162/271 
Froelich, A., Jakubowska, E., Jadach, B., Gadziński, P., & Osmałek, T. (2023). Natural Gums 
in Drug-Loaded Micro- and Nanogels. Pharmaceutics, 15(3), 759. 
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15030759 
Han, J., Zhou, Q., & Farooq, A. (2023). Encapsulation of Curcumin in Gum Arabic–Chitosan 
Nanoparticles for Sustained Release. Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Journal, 14(2), 211–224.  
Sharma, P., Kang, R., & Hu, M. (2023). Guar Gum-Based Microparticulate Systems for Colon-
Targeted Drug Delivery. Journal of Polymer Drug Delivery, 10(4), 128–144.  
Vyas, S. P., & Khar, R. K. (2022). Controlled Drug Delivery: Concepts and Advances. Vallabh 
Prakashan.  
Zhou, T., et al. (2023). Polysaccharide Nanogels for Bioactive Compounds. International Journal 
of Biological Macromolecules, 224, 1324–1332.  
Kumar, P., Varshney, S., & Jain, A. (2024). Microballoons: A Promising Approach for 
Gastroretentive Drug Delivery. Indian Drugs, 61(3), 45–56.  
Froelich, A., Osmałek, T., & Gadziński, P. (2023). Modification Strategies of Gums for 
Biomedical Applications. Polymers in Pharmacy Review, 21(1), 55–78.