Development and Characterization of Mucoadhesive-Thermosensitive Buccal Gel Containing Metronidazole for the Treatment of Oral Mucositis

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed to develop and characterize, mucoadhesive-thermosensitive gel formulation containing metronidazole that can quickly gel at the buccal mucosa temperature for treatment of oral mucositis. Material and Method: In this study, the combinations Poloxamer 407 (P407), Poloxamer 188 (P188) and Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were used in certain concentrations to form a gel in buccal mucosa. Optimum formulations were selected by measuring the gelling time and gelling temperature of the formulations prepared. The hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, resilience, sprayability, mucoadhesion and release properties of selected formulations were evaluated. Result and Discussion: The results showed that F1 and F3 formulations, which quickly turn into gel form at 33 °C, could be the optimum formulations. These two formulations showed controlled release for 8 hours. Texture profile analysis (TPA), mucoadhesion studies and sprayability studies have shown that F1 formulation which the mixture of P407 (15%), P188 (20%) and HPMC (5%) is the optimum formulation for the buccal mucosa. In conclusion, mucoadhesive-thermosensitive gels containing metronidazole may be a good alternative in the treatment of oral mucositis.