Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of thiolated tamarind seed polysaccharide as a mucoadhesive polymer

► Thiolation of TSP was done by esterification with thioglycolic acid. ► Polymer compacts of thiolated TSP exhibited 6.85-fold greater mucoadhesion than TSP. ► Carbopol-based metronidazole gels containing TSP and thiolated TSP were formulated. ► Gels containing TSP and thiolated TSP released the drug by first-order and Higuchi's-square root kinetics, respectively.