Development of Clove Oil <i>In Situ</i> Gels for Buccal Mucoadhesive

Abstract

Clove oil is the volatile essential oil obtained from Syzygium aromaticum. Eugenol, which is the main component, has antimicrobial, antifungal activity and antioxidant. From antiseptic activity, clove oil can be used in treatment of oral cavity infection. The aims of this research are to formulate and evaluate clove oil mucoadhesive gel for oral applications. Gel bases were prepared from Poloxamer 407 (P407). The effect of clove oil, P407 and xanthan gum on formulations were studied. Clove oil preparations were evaluated for their physicochemical properties (physical appearance, pH, viscosity, gelling capacity and gel dissolving time at 37 °C in artificial saliva). Mucoadhesive property was studied using porcine buccal mucosa. The amount of eugenol in clove oil was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). Stability study of clove oil gel was performed under stress and room temperature conditions (1 month). The results showed that preparations containing 0% and 1% clove oil were in situ gel while those containing 3% and 5% clove oil were gel. All formulations showed good and clear physical appearance with the pH value of 5.2. The gelling capacity and gel dissolving time of more than 15 minutes in artificial saliva at 37°C was found in all preparations. They also showed mucoadhesive property. The GC results showed that the amount of eugenol in clove oil were 99.52 ± 0.51 %V/V. The preparations containing 1% clove oil showed good physical and chemical stability after storage at room temperature for 1 month. There was no significant difference in the amount of eugenol after storage (p>0.05). In conclusion, the preparations containing 20% P407 and 1% clove oil are the most appropriate formulation.