In the present scenario of pharmaceutical development, researchers are focusing on the herbal excipients for different delivery systems. This work describes diverse characteristics of novel polysaccharide extracted from the stem of Abelmoschus moschatus (AM). Further, polysaccharide was explored for its potential role as polymer in controlling colon-specific release of metronidazole (MNZ). Cell toxicity study confirmed its safety aspects in biological applications. The aqueous solution of polysaccharide exhibited non-Newtonian pseudoplastic flow property. The consistency coefficient (k) was found to increase with increase in concentration and particle size of AM polysaccharide. Viscosity was found to increase by increasing pH of the aqueous solution of AM. In-vivo gamma scintigraphy study of radiolabeled MNZ tablet in human volunteers confirmed small intestinal transit time of 300–480 min and colon arrival time of 360–480 min. The present study revealed that AM polysaccharide may be a choice of pharmaceutical excipients as an alternative to synthetic polymers.

在药物开发的当前情况下，研究人员正在集中研究用于不同递送系统的草药赋形剂。这项工作描述了从Abelmoschus moschatus（AM）的茎中提取的新型多糖的多种特性。此外，还研究了多糖作为聚合物在控制甲硝唑（MNZ）结肠特异性释放中的潜在作用。细胞毒性研究证实了其在生物学应用中的安全性。多糖水溶液显示出非牛顿假塑性流动性质。发现稠度系数（k）随着AM多糖的浓度和粒径的增加而增加。发现粘度通过增加AM水溶液的pH而增加。体内放射性标记的MNZ片剂在人类志愿者中的伽玛闪烁显像研究证实，小肠通过时间为300-480分钟，结肠到达时间为360-480分钟。本研究表明，AM多糖可能是药用赋形剂的一种选择，可以替代合成聚合物。