IT HAS VARIETY OF PHARMACEUTICAL USES LIKE SUSPENDING, EMULSIFYING AND THICKENING AGENT AND AS BINDING AND COATING AGENT IN TABLETS. IT IS USED TOPICALLY AS AN INGREDIENT OF PROTECTIVE PREPARATIONS FOR STOMA CARE, IN THE MANAGEMENT OF WOUNDS AND FOR THE MECHANICAL PROTECTION OF ORAL AND PERIORAL LESIONS, AND ALSO USED IN CONCENTRATION OF UPTO 1% IN ARTIFICIAL SALIVA PREPARATIONS IN DRY MOUTH & DRY EYE CASES.