Biomedical Applications of Natural Polysaccharides

Natural gum polysaccharides use in various biomedical applications is increasing in recent years because of its peculiar properties like biocompatibility, biodegradability, cytocompatibility and with no eliciting of immune response. These properties of gums have the ability to overcome the challenges of biocompatibility and biodegradability in tissue engineering imposed by the other biomaterials (synthetic, ceramics, natural polymers) in use. The various natural gums (tragacanth, guar gum, gum acacia, locust bean gum etc.) with their specific properties which are used in biomedical applications as composites are discussed. The natural gum exudates have been found to be promising candidates in fabrication of scaffolds for tissue engineering applications due to their high solubility, porosity and large surface area. Applications of natural gums in drug delivery, stem cell culture, bone tissue engineering were enlisted with relevant studies. The natural gums have an ability to become excellent biopolymer and can improve the composite properties when combined with various other biomaterials and can show superior results by additive effect.