tragacanth

Tragacanth is a natural, complex anionic heteropolysaccharide obtained from the dried sap of several species of Middle Eastern legumes in the genus *Astragalus*, most notably *Astragalus gummifer*. It consists of two primary fractions: tragacanthin, which is water-soluble, and bassorin, which swells in water to form a gel. In the pharmaceutical industry, tragacanth is traditionally utilized as a thickening agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer. Modern biomedical research has expanded its utility to include its use as a bioadhesive matrix in 3D-printed patches for wound healing and liver bleeding, a scaffold material for bone tissue engineering, and a stabilizer for nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. Its high viscosity at low concentrations and stability across a wide pH range make it an effective excipient for sustained-release oral formulations and topical hydrogels.

Other names

gum tragacanthGTTRGCsyera oilShiraz gumDragon gum