Formulation and evaluation of a mouth ulcer gel using Clitoria ternatea flower extract

Deshmane, Pranav Ramchandra and Jadhav, Siddhart Bhaskar and Datkhile, Sachin V. and Lokhande, Rahul P. (2025) Formulation and evaluation of a mouth ulcer gel using Clitoria ternatea flower extract. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 22 (3). 064-071. ISSN 2582-5542

Mouth ulcers, also known as aphthous stomatitis, are common, painful lesions that affect the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity. Their pathophysiology is complex, involving genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. Although the exact cause remains unclear, dysregulation of the immune system plays a central role. Inflammatory responses are triggered by the activation of T lymphocytes, which lead to the release of cytokines, resulting in epithelial cell damage and ulcer formation. Genetic predisposition, stress, trauma, nutritional deficiencies (especially of B vitamins, folic acid, and iron), and microbial factors have all been implicated as contributing factors. The local tissue response is characterized by an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators, with cytokines including interleukin-1 (IL-1), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) being upregulated. This leads to neutrophil infiltration, edema, and increased vascular permeability, all of which worsen the lesion. While current research attempts to clarify the exact molecular pathways involved in order to generate more focused medicines, treatment tactics frequently concentrate on symptomatic alleviation. Understanding the pathophysiology of mouth ulcers is critical for improving treatment outcomes and minimizing recurrence. Treatment options include over-the-counter pain relievers, topical medications, and avoiding irritants. In most cases, mouth ulcers will heal on their own within a week or two. However, if they persist or are accompanied by other symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention. Because of the clinician's limited experience to the illnesses that may cause the lesions and their comparable looks, diagnosing and treating oral lesions can be difficult. By removing irrelevant variables, this study attempts to provide a methodical approach to the diagnosis of oral ulcers based on their clinical and histological characteristics. Recurrent and painful ulcerations on the moveable or nonkeratinized oral mucosae are a hallmark of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), one of the most prevalent oral mucosal disorders. Three forms of RAS may be distinguished clinically: minor, major, and herpetiform varieties. The tongue, buccal mucosa, and labial mucosa are more frequently affected by RAS. RAS is a multifactorial immune-dysregulated illness caused by T cells, according to earlier research.