Hemant Badwaik Badwaik

Background: Natural plant-derived polymers have gained increasing attention as alternatives to synthetic excipients in sustained-release (SR) drug delivery systems owing to their biocompatibility, safety, and renewability. Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen, recognized for its gastroprotective and antioxidant potential, is rich in bioactive flavonoids and phenolic compounds, while its seed gum exhibits desirable swelling and gel-forming properties suitable for controlled drug delivery. Objective: The present study aimed to extract and perform phytochemical and physicochemical evaluation of Manilkara zapota leaf extract and to assess Manilkara zapota gum as a natural polymeric excipient. Methods: Leaves and seed gum of Manilkara zapota were isolated and characterized. Physicochemical evaluations, including pH, viscosity, and swelling index, were conducted. Structural and thermal characterization was performed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results: The Manilkara zapota gum exhibited a high swelling capacity (324 ± 8%) and viscosity (428 ± 12 cps), confirming its suitability as a hydrophilic matrix-forming polymer. The total phenolic content was found to be 87.6 ± 2.3 mg GAE/g, while the total flavonoid content was 52.1 ± 1.8 mg QE/g, indicating the presence of significant bioactive phytoconstituents. Overall, the gum isolated from M. zapota demonstrated excellent swelling behavior, high viscosity, and good thermal stability, which are essential attributes for its application in sustained-release matrix drug delivery systems

Manilkara zapota, also referred to as sapodilla, is the most prominent and widely grown fruit in the Sapotaceae family. It is distinguished as a nutrient-rich fruit, including sugars, acids, proteins, amino acids, and minerals. Chiku is rich in bioactive components such as ellagitannins, gallotannins, phenolic acids, depsides, and flavonoids including anthocyanins and flavanols. This review seeks to systematically gather critical information and possibility for extracting bioactive chemicals from on sapodilla for exploring its therapeutic potential. In this review we highlight the composition of sapodilla fruit and presents current research findings on the principal pharmacological actions. The significant bioactive qualities indicate potential for employing components from both the edible and inedible sections of sapodilla in the development of innovative food and medicinal products. The nutritional value of sapodilla fruit, along with the phytochemical variety present in its by-products such peels, seeds, bark, and leaves, establishes them as potential sources of nutraceutical components for functional food development. From a pharmacological standpoint, both the consumable and non-consumable components of sapodilla demonstrate potential as antioxidants, anticancer agents, antimicrobials, analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and hepatoprotective agents.