Protective Effect of Mucoadhesive Gel of Phytosterol of Pongamia glabra Against Arecoline-Induced OSMF Rats

Abstract

Objective Isolation and interpretation of phytosterol from stem bark of Pongamia glabra P. pinnata Vent. to develop and characterize mucoadhesive gel of the isolated phytosterol and histopathological studies of extract and mucoadhesive gel on arecoline induced oral submucosa fibrosis OSMF in rats.Methods Petroleum ether extract of stem bark was used for phytochemical investigation and the isolated phytosterol was characterized spectroscopically. Mucoadhesive gel of the isolated phytosterol PGS was developed and evaluated for physicochemical properties. Histopathological studies of arecoline induced OSMF rats at the end of four months induction and four months treatment with the extract and the gel of PGS were carried out and the resultant changes in body weight were noted during the induction and the treatment. Results Spectroscopic studies of the isolated phytosterol PGS identified it as ldquostigmasterolrdquo. The formulated gel exhibited good homogeneity with no grittiness good extrudability and mucoadhesive strength optimum pH uniform drug content low viscosity and 86-88 cumulative drug release property. Histopathological study of arecoline HBr induced OSMF rats at the end of 4th month induction exhibited white patches on buccal submucosa fibrosis and significant P lt0.0001 reduction in body weight. At the end of 4th month treatment with extract of Pongaia glabra and the mucoadhesive gel of PGS epithelium regaining normal thickness and body weight was observed.Conclusion Formulated mucoadhesive gel of PGS with good physicochemical pharmaceutical properties was found to reduce arecoline induced oral submucosa fibrosis by dissolving 90 of collagen deposition at the end of four months treatment.