Shellac: A Natural Polymer in Pharmaceutical Preparations: A Review

Among the natural occurring resins, shellac has gained its specific importance in the pharmaceutical preparations. The resinous secretion of the tiny lac insect (Laccifer lacca- parasitic on certain trees in Asia, particularly India and Thailand) is termed as Lac. Lac is the only known natural resin obtained from animal origin. Shellac has the unique properties like non-toxicity, environment friendly, and has good film-forming ability, fast drying and curing speed, unique solubility, and excellent thermal performance. Shellacs unique properties made it to use in coating applications to provide various functional characteristics. It can be used in film coatings to achieve enteric applications, aesthetic and immediate- release properties, taste masking, and seal coating. In this review, the application of shellac polymer in pharmaceutical preparations was described in detail.