The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of mucilage obtained from G. optiva as tablet excipient, in particular as binder. Gum mucilage was isolated from the bark of G. optiva. The rheological behavior of the obtained gum mucilage was compared with other gums. The mucilage was further subjected to physicochemical characterization. Also, a comparative study on binding properties of gum mucilage and starch was performed. The gum mucilage obtained from the G. optiva exhibited superior rheological properties. The studies performed with preservatives revealed that inclusion of preservatives, effectively control the tendency of gum to loose viscosity on keeping for long. The physicochemical characterization showed good flow properties and excellent swelling ratio. Grewia optiva gum mucilage could be considered as a cheap, economic and easily available tablet binder. Moreover being of natural origin, it will be more acceptable.
