Abstract

Clay minerals have been used in pharmaceutical industries as active ingredients and excipients without pharmacological activity such as diluents, emulsifying agents, viscosity-increasing agents, and lubricants. For example, bentonite, kaolin, magnesium aluminum silicate, and talc are generally and extensively used pharmaceutical ingredients, which are restrictedly regulated by Pharmacopoeias. We discuss the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of clay minerals. In addition, we introduce the cases of pharmaceutical applications of clay minerals. From this review, pharmaceutical applications of clay minerals can be one of strategies for the development of high valueadded products from clay minerals.

Keywords clay minerals, pharmacy, pharmacopoeia, active ingredients, pharmaceutical excipients