A Review: Formulation and Evaluation of Herbal Gel for the Treatment of Mouth Ulcers

Abstract

Mouth ulcers are painful breaks in the oral mucosa, most commonly triggered by minor trauma or recurrent aphthous stomatitis. This review discusses their underlying causes and highlights the therapeutic role of gel formulations, with a focus on herbal alternatives. Plant-based medicines are increasingly preferred because they generally cause fewer adverse reactions, are economical, widely available, and fit well within cultural healthcare practices. Herbal remedies make use of bioactive plant constituents with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties—key factors in the recovery of oral lesions. In this work, we summarize several herbs studied for managing mouth ulcers, including guava, aloe vera, neem, turmeric, tulsi, licorice, giloy stem, and betel leaf, all of which have demonstrated beneficial effects. Commercially available preparations, such as Smyle Gel and Tuliq Gel, illustrate how plant extracts can be combined to provide localized relief with minimal irritation to oral tissues. With the rising interest in natural therapies, herbal gels represent a promising alternative to conventional treatments. The main objective of this review is to explore the formulation of a guava-based herbal gel and its evaluation parameters for potential clinical application.

Introduction

Mouth ulcers are painful sores that commonly affect areas like the gums, tongue, lips, cheeks, and palate. They interfere with daily functions like eating and speaking. Causes are multifactorial, including local trauma, stress, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies (e.g., B12, folic acid), infections, and underlying diseases like autoimmune or gastrointestinal disorders.

Types of Mouth Ulcers:

1. Aphthous Ulcers (Canker Sores) – Non-infectious, most common.

2. Oral Lichen Planus – Immune-related; affects middle-aged/older adults.

3. Leukoplakia – White patches from chronic irritation; possible cancer risk.

4. Erythroplakia – Red patches with high malignancy potential.

5. Oral Thrush – Fungal infection due to Candida albicans.

6. Oral Cancer – Non-healing ulcers lasting over 3 weeks; may appear red, white, or mixed.

Symptoms & Causes:

• Painful sores with yellow/white centers and red borders.

• Triggered by trauma (e.g., cheek biting), acidic foods, stress, poor oral hygiene, systemic conditions, or vitamin deficiencies.

Limitations of Conventional Treatments:

• Include corticosteroids, analgesics, and antiseptics.

• Offer symptom relief but often cause side effects (e.g., irritation, fungal infection).

• High recurrence rate highlights the need for safer alternatives.

Herbal Approach – Focus on Guava (Psidium guajava):

• Guava leaves are rich in flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids, carotenoids, saponins, and essential oils.

• Properties include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing effects.

• These bioactives make guava an ideal natural remedy for oral ulcers.

Herbal Gel Formulation (Guava Leaf Nanogel):

• Prepared using Carbopol 934, guava leaf extract, humectants (glycerin, propylene glycol), preservatives, and triethanolamine to adjust pH.

• Final gel has optimal spreadability, viscosity, pH (6.5–7.5), and storage stability.

Evaluation of the Herbal Gel:

1. Physical Checks – Texture, color, and homogeneity.

2. pH Measurement – Confirmed within oral-safe range.

3. Spreadability & Viscosity – Ensures ease of application.

4. Permeation Study – Demonstrates effective release of active compounds.

5.  

Conclusion

This review underscores the important role of medicinal plants in addressing oral ulceration, offering safer and more affordable alternatives to conventional therapies. The bioactive compounds found in many herbs, particularly flavonoids and tannins, exert multiple therapeutic actions including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects, which collectively support tissue healing. Among the plants studied, guava leaves (Psidium guajava) stand out due to their diverse phytochemical content and strong wound-healing potential. Recent advances in formulation science, such as the development of guava-based nanogels, have further improved the delivery and effectiveness of these plant extracts. Such approaches combine traditional knowledge with modern pharmaceutical techniques, making them promising candidates for future oral healthcare solutions. Continued research, including clinical validation, will be essential to establish standardized, safe, and effective herbal therapies for the management of mouth ulcers.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Mr. Ashish Chopade, Mr. Kunal Hake, Mr. Sanchit Tingare, Mr. Nitin Gawai. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.