ALOE VERA MUCILAGE-BASED MUCOADHESIVE BUCCAL FILMS OF TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE FOR THE LOCALIZED MANAGEMENT OF RECURRENT APHTHOUS STOMATITIS: CURRENT EVIDENCE, FORMULATION STRATEGIES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Mukesh M.*, Sudhan D.

ABSTRACT

One of the most common ulcerative conditions of the oral cavity is recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), which is characterized by painful, recurrent lesions that greatly impair patients' quality of life. Even though topical corticosteroids, antiseptics, and analgesics are readily available, conventional dosage forms frequently show poor therapeutic effectiveness due to frequent dosing requirements, quick salivary drainage, and insufficient mucosal retention. Mucoadhesive buccal drug delivery devices that can sustain extended contact with the oral mucosa while delivering regulated and localized drug release are becoming more and more popular as a result of these constraints. Mucoadhesive buccal films have become a potential platform among the other dosage forms that have been studied due to its flexibility, patient acceptability, convenience of administration, and capacity to enhance drug bioavailability at the site of action. Because of its strong anti-inflammatory properties, triamcinolone acetonide is still one of the most often prescribed corticosteroids for the treatment of RAS. Because of their superior biocompatibility and multipurpose medicinal qualities, natural polymers have also garnered growing interest in pharmaceutical formulation. Aloe vera mucilage's potential for wound healing, anti-inflammatory action, antioxidant benefits, and ability to promote mucosal tissue regeneration make it especially promising. The present understanding of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, buccal drug transport principles, mucoadhesion mechanisms, pharmaceutical uses of Aloe vera mucilage, and the therapeutic role of triamcinolone acetonide are all critically summarized in this study. Additionally, formulation techniques for mucoadhesive buccal films based on Aloe vera mucilage are covered, along with current research trends, obstacles, and prospects. According to the available data, combining natural bioactive polymers with well-known anti-inflammatory medications may offer a successful localized treatment strategy for recurrent aphthous stomatitis while enhancing patient compliance and reducing systemic exposure. The integration of these systems into standard clinical practice is anticipated to be made easier by ongoing research on formulation optimization, mechanistic comprehension, and clinical validation.

Keywords: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis; Mucoadhesive buccal film; Aloe vera mucilage; Triamcinolone acetonide; Local medication delivery; Natural polymers.