Herbal sweeteners are naturally occurring substances used to impart sweetness or improve taste in oral pharmaceutical formulations.
They can originate from leaves, fruits, or seeds.
Significance
Patient Compliance: Sweeteners mask the bitter or unpleasant taste of active pharmaceutical ingredients, improving patient acceptance, especially in pediatric or geriatric populations.
Potential Health Benefits: Certain herbal sweeteners may offer benefits such as low-calorie content, low glycemic index, or additional bioactive compounds.
Safety Profile: Many plant-based sweeteners (e.g., stevia) are recognized for their relatively safe profile when used appropriately.
Examples & Uses
Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana): Highly sweet, low-calorie alternative to sugar.
Glycyrrhizin (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Sweet taste with therapeutic properties.
Honey: Natural sweetener with soothing properties.
