FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF A BIOADHESIVE HERBAL HYDROGEL CONTAINING OROXYLUM INDICUM EXTRACT USING COCHLOSPERMUM RELIGIOSUM GUM AS A NATURAL BIOADHESIVE POLYMER

Oral mucosal disorders, including recurrent aphthous ulcers, gingivitis, and stomatitis, affect more than 25% of the global population and cause significant pain, difficulty in eating, and reduced quality of life. Conventional buccal gels and mouthwashes suffer from poor retention due to continuous salivary flow (0.5-2 L/day) and involuntary swallowing, requiring frequent administration. Bioadhesive buccal hydrogels provide prolonged contact time, localized drug delivery, and improved patient compliance. However, most marketed formulations rely on synthetic polymers such as Carbopol 934P, HPMC K4M, and Sodium CMC, which are associated with mucosal irritation, high cost, and non-biodegradability. There is a growing demand for natural, safe, and sustainable polymers. Cochlospermum religiosum (Family: Cochlospermaceae), commonly known as Kondagogu or Katira gum, is a natural, biodegradable, non-toxic polysaccharide containing high amounts of L-rhamnose, D-galactose, and galacturonic acid, which imparts excellent bioadhesive and gel-forming properties. Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent., known as Shyonak in Ayurveda and belonging to family Bignoniaceae, is a well-known medicinal plant. Its bark is rich in flavonoids such as baicalein, chrysin, oroxylin-A, and scutellarein, which have scientifically proven anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing activities. Despite its traditional use, no systematic study has been reported on its formulation as a bioadhesive buccal hydrogel using a natural gum.