Innovative Buccal Films with Calendula officinalis: A Mucoadhesive Approach for Treating Oral Ulcers

This study examines the creation and assessment of buccal films that stick to the mucous membranes and contain Calendula officinalis extract. These films are intended for treating oral ulcers. The films were fabricated utilising HPMC E5 and SCMC polymers through the solvent casting technique, including calendula extract, sorbitol, glycerine, and peppermint oil for the purposes of enhancing plasticity, sweetening, flavouring, and cooling effects, respectively. The evaluation tests verified that the films exhibited consistent colour, flexibility, and appropriate surface morphology for mucoadhesion. Their study showcased controlled drug release characteristics, illustrating sustained release mechanisms that are well-suited for the treatment of oral ulcers. The films exhibited strong folding endurance, consistent drug content ranging from 88.90% to 99.54%, and suitable moisture absorption capabilities. The in vitro drug release experiments demonstrated a progressive release of the medication, indicating the possibility for a prolonged therapeutic effect. The optimised formulations exhibited substantial drug penetration for a duration of 10 hours in ex vivo experiments. The controlled release profile is optimal for sustaining therapeutic concentrations of the medication over a prolonged duration. The Cumulative Amount of medication Released (CADP) progressively rises over time, indicating a sustained and ongoing release of the medication from the buccal film. This study highlights the potential of these buccal films as efficient means for delivering drugs to specific areas and treating mouth ulcers.