A Novel Approach to Caffeine Delivery: Formulation and Evaluation of Chicle-Based Medicated Chewing Gum

Objective: The goal of the current study was to develop and evaluate medicated chewing gum containing caffeine. Method: The chicle gum base was prepared by heating latex from the Sapodilla monikara tree in a water bath. To create a homogeneous mixture, lecithin obtained from eggs was added and heated for 45 minutes at 60°C. Glycerol was added to lessen stickiness after talcum powder was added for structure. For stability, the prepared gum base was kept in amber glass vials. Lecithin was extracted from the egg yolk separately by dissolving it in acetone, homogenizing it for 20 minutes, and then washing it with petroleum ether and chloroform. After filtering, the white precipitate was oven-dried for 30 minutes. After softening the gum base at 60°C, mannitol, coconut oil, and caffeine powder were added. Agents for flavoring and coloring were added once the mixture had cooled below 40°C. After molding and cooling, the gum was packaged. Results: The conventional evaluation criteria were met by all chewing gum formulations containing caffeine, suggesting that their quality was satisfactory. Formulation F1 performed the best out of all of them, meeting every requirement. Its overall performance, stability and uniformity made it the best option for a medicated gum delivery system. Conclusion: Chicle gum base from Sapodilla monikara was combined with caffeine as the active ingredient. The formulation was enhanced by modified egg lecithin, and studies revealed that F1 was the best formulation.