Evaluation of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Gum as a Natural Binder in Pharmaceutical Tablet Formulations: A Comparative Study with Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)

Background: Natural polymers are increasingly explored in pharmaceutical applications for their biocompatibility and environmental benefits. This study evaluates the effectiveness of okra gum as a natural binder in paracetamol tablet formulations, comparing it with the synthetic binder polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Method: Gum was extracted from okra pods and incorporated into tablets at 3%, 5%, and 7.5% concentrations, both as a dry powder and aqueous dispersion. Paracetamol tablets were prepared using wet granulation and assessed for hardness, friability, disintegration time, and in vitro drug release. Results: Okra gum exhibited concentration-dependent binding strength (2.3 ± 2.11 to 3.8 ± 3.01 kg), nearly double that of PVP. Tablets with okra gum dispersion (F1–F3) had higher hardness (9.46–11.55 kg/cm²) than PVP tablets (F7: 8.63 kg/cm²) and powder forms (F4–F6: 7.45–8.57 kg/cm²). Friability remained below 1% across all formulations. Disintegration times were significantly prolonged in dispersion forms (51.2–120.8 min), while powder forms (1.3–10.34 min) closely resembled PVP (6.93 min). Drug release was superior in powder formulations (90.24–99.46%) compared to dispersions (31.73–84.56%). Conclusion: Okra gum, particularly in powder form, offers strong binding capacity and favorable drug release, supporting its potential as a sustainable alternative to synthetic binders in immediate or sustained-release tablet formulations.