Herbal Mucoadhesive Gels for Canker Sores: Analysis of Physicochemical Properties, Efficacy, and Safety

Abstracts: Aim: The goal of this research was to formulate mucoadhesive gels using hydrogly- ceric extracts of Cistus creticus L. and Inula viscosa (L.) Aiton, either separately or in combina- tion, utilizes carboxymethyl cellulose and detects their physicochemical characteristics and safe- ty for oromucosal cells and antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral) efficacy to as- sess their performance.

Methods: Using LC-HRMS, the extracts of C. creticus and I. viscosa were examined. Evalua- tions were conducted on the formulations' viscosity, cytotoxicity-cell proliferation controls, tex- ture, antibacterial activity, pH, and organoleptic properties. The minimal inhibitory concentra- tions and microbroth dilution tests were used to assess the effectiveness of the formulations.

Results: The pH, organoleptic, and physical characteristics of each formulation have been de- termined to be appropriate. The research results demonstrated that I. viscosa contributed antivi- ral efficacy to the formulations linked to dose-dependent activities against all examined mouth pathogens, whereas C. creticus provided antibacterial and antifungal efficacy. The formulation containing C. creticus extract alone was the most cytotoxic, whereas the formulation including I. viscosa extract alone was the least cytotoxic against gingival fibroblast cells, according to the findings of tests on cell proliferation and cytotoxicity.

Conclusion: The formulation contained a 32% 1:1 mixture of I. viscosa and C. creticus hydro- glyceric extracts was detected as safe with acceptable cytotoxicity along with antibacterial and antiviral effectiveness, were encouraging for future investigations.