Article: FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF MUCOADHESIVE HERBAL ORAL GEL CONTAINING SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS EXTRACT FOR THE TREATMENT OF ORAL INFLAMMATORY CONDITIONS

Article Category: Original Research articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.174142

Pages: 86-95

Author: Aditya Uttam Waghmare, Pratik Sanjeev Gunale, Kiran C. Rodage *, Sameer Shafi, Dharashive VM, Kavita Shivkumar Sirgire

Abstract: The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a mucoadhesive herbal oral gel containing Scutellaria baicalensis extract for the treatment of oral inflammatory conditions. The plant extract, rich in flavonoids such as baicalin and baicalein, exhibits significant anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Herbal gel formulations (F1-F6) were prepared using Carbopol 940 as a gelling agent with varying concentrations to optimise physicochemical and release characteristics. The formulations were evaluated for pH, viscosity, spreadability, drug content, in-vitro diffusion, antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and mucoadhesive strength. Results indicated that all formulations showed acceptable physicochemical properties. Among them, formulation F4 demonstrated an optimal balance of viscosity, spreadability, and sustained drug release. In-vitro diffusion studies revealed controlled drug release following Higuchi kinetics, indicating a diffusion-controlled mechanism. The formulation also exhibited significant antibacterial activity against E. coli and notable anti-inflammatory activity. The developed herbal gel showed promising potential as an effective localised drug delivery system for oral conditions.

Keyword: Scutellaria baicalensis, herbal gel, mucoadhesive, oral drug delivery, Carbopol, in-vitro diffusion.