Plant-Derived Mucilage: A Natural Antioxidant with Multifunctional Applications in Food, Cosmetics, and Health

Mucilage, naturally occurring polysaccharides in various plant parts, possesses unique structural and multifunctional properties. These biopolymers consist primarily of complex polysaccharides associated with bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, phenolics, and oxidized sugars. They have distinctive, potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective effects against cellular aging and disease progression. As natural excipients, they offer therapeutic benefits alongside conventional drug delivery functions. The health advantages of mucilage include weight management, blood sugar control, improved gut and cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory activities, and immune support. Recent studies highlighted their antioxidant and wound-healing properties, alongside their emerging use in cosmetic formulations for skin hydration and oxidative damage protection. A systematic review of databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science evaluated 22 research papers on mucilage with antioxidant potential. Key findings include the following antioxidant-containing mucilage sources: Cydonia oblonga (seeds) has an IC₅₀ of 30.64%; Abelmoschus esculentus (pods and seeds) shows 23.04% and 40.40% IC₅₀ values; Zizyphus mauritiana (fruits) shows 76.13% IC₅₀; Coccinia indica (leaves) shows a 71.85% IC₅₀ value; Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has a value of 44.55±0.05% (80µg/mL); Malva parviflora has an IC₅₀ value of 58.54±1.46 (80 µg/mL); Corchorus olitorius has an IC₅₀ value of 30.19% (leaves); and Dioscorea opposita (Tubers) has an IC50 value of 68.57%. Among these mucilage sources, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis shows more inhibition on DPPH assay compared to reducing power assay, hydroxyl superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and nitric oxide scavenging assay. Surprisingly, crude Zizyphus mauritiana fruit mucilage shows higher activity in its superoxide radical-scavenging ability (85.12%) as compared to hydroxyl radical-scavenging ability. Various analytical techniques have been used for the evaluation of the antioxidant properties of mucilage, inclusing 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay, hydroxyl radical assay, and superoxide radical assay. This review emphasizes the potential therapeutic roles of plant mucilage with phenolic compounds. The findings aim to foster innovation in the health benefits of mucilage and its applications in food and cosmetic products, leveraging the multifunctional potential of these biopolymers to enhance efficacy and safety.