Electrospun Eudragit Nanofiber Mats as a Buccal Delivery Platform for Triamcinolone Acetonide

Abstract Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is the most frequently observed disorder of the oral mucosa. Since the etiopathogenesis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis is unclear, there is no specific treatment method. The preferred treatment methods aim to alleviate symptoms such as pain and discomfort and shorten the recovery period. Triamcinolone acetonide is one of the most commonly used topical glucocorticoids. Within the scope of this study, electrospun nanofiber-based formulations were developed using two Eudragit (E) polymers, S100 and RL100, as an alternative to the marketed product, which contains 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide (Kenacort-A orobase ointment). Drug loading capacities of the nanofiber films (per 4 cm2) were 1.333 ± 0.594 mg for E S and 1.969 ± 1.000 mg for E RL, while SEM analysis demonstrated that the average fiber diameters were 259 ± 83 nm and 192 ± 81 nm for E S and E RL, respectively. FTIR, NMR, and DSC analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of triamcinolone acetonide into the nanofiber matrix and indicated the absence of any chemical incompatibility between the drug and the polymers. Drug release studies and permeability studies demonstrated higher drug release and permeation levels compared to the commercial product, with an improved release profile achieved by the developed nanofiber formulations. As a result, triamcinolone acetonide-loaded nanofibers were successfully produced and characterized, and the results indicate that these nanofiber formulations represent a promising alternative to existing topical treatments for recurrent aphthous stomatitis.