EXCIPIENTS IN MODERN AND AYURVEDIC PHARMACEUTICS: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW

Excipients are pharmacologically inactive substances that play a vital role in the design, development, and delivery of pharmaceutical formulations. Their contribution extends beyond formulation stability and manufacturability to drug bioavailability and patient compliance. In modern pharmaceutics, excipients are chemically defined, highly regulated, and often synthetic or semi-synthetic in nature. Conversely, the Ayurvedic system of medicine has long utilized natural excipients—referred to by terms such as Anupana, Sahapana, and Prakshep Dravya—which not only serve as carriers but often possess therapeutic value themselves. In light of the growing interest in biocompatible, biodegradable, and plant-based excipients, Ayurveda’s wisdom offers promising insights into sustainable and holistic drug formulation practices. This review critically explores the definition, classification, and functional roles of excipients from both modern and Ayurvedic perspectives. It also identifies herbal and natural excipients as potential integrative tools for bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary pharmaceutical innovations. Regulatory standards, recent developments, and challenges in excipient selection and safety are also discussed to highlight the translational value of Ayurvedic pharmaceutics in the modern pharmaceutical industry.