Natural Polymers vs Synthetic Polymer

Polymers play an important role as excipients in any dosage form. They influence drug release and should be stable, economic compatible, non-toxic, etc. They are broadly classified as natural polymers and synthetic polymers. Synthetic and natural based biodegradable polymers have received much more attention in the last decades due their potential applications in the fields related to environmental protection and the maintenance of physical health. Biodegradable materials are used in agriculture, medicine packaging, and other areas. In recent years there has been an increase in interest in biodegradable polymers. Two classes of biodegradable polymers can be distinguished: synthetic or natural polymers. Synthetic polymers are widely used in biomedical implants and devices because they can be fabricated into various shapes. Natural polymers are basically polysaccharides so they are biocompatible and without any side effects. In this chapter we have discussed various natural polymers, their advantages over synthetic polymers and role of natural polymers in designing novel drug delivery systems.