Xyloglucan gels have many advantages for use in rectal drug delivery. They are non-toxic, and preliminary experiments show no detectable damage to rectal mucosa. A more sustained in vitro release of indomethacin is achievable from the enzyme-degraded xyloglucan gels compared with commercial suppositories. In addition, the location of the gel in the lower region of the rectum may be advantageous in the administration of drugs subject to first-pass metabolism.