Unlocking Potential of Potentilla erecta: Development and Efficacy Evaluation of Oral Mucoadhesive Gel for Oral Ulcers

Oral ulcerations are complex pathological lesions with multifactorial etiology and diverse clinical manifestations. Current treatment options are mostly symptomatic with a different adverse effect. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a mucoadhesive oral gel containing Potentilla erecta L. ethanol extract (PEOG) and evaluate its healing effects in a rat model of oral ulceration. Dried rhizomes of Potentilla erecta were extracted with 70% ethanol using ultrasonic extraction, followed by low-pressure evaporation. The extract was incorporated into a gel base composed of poloxamer 407 and carbomer 934. Rheological characterization was performed to assess the viscoelastic and flow properties of the formulation. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated through macroscopic assessment of ulcer healing, histopathological analysis, and determination of systemic oxidative stress biomarkers. Animals were assigned to three groups: untreated control, gel base (GB), and PEOG-treated. Rats were sacrificed on days 0, 3, 6, and 10 for blood and tissue sampling. PEOG treatment significantly accelerated ulcer healing, resulting in a marked reduction in ulcer size compared with controls. Histopathological findings indicated enhanced collagen deposition, while biochemical analyses suggested attenuation of oxidative stress. These results demonstrate that PEOG possesses considerable ulcer-healing potential and may represent a promising mucoadhesive formulation for the treatment of oral ulcerations.