Sustainable Treatment of Oral Traumatic Ulcers with Licorice Containing Hydrogels: Integrating Computational Modeling, Quality by Design, Green Synthesis, and Molecular Biological Evaluation
The urge to implement innovative approaches that align with eco-friendly practices and hold promise for enhancing oral health while promoting environmental sustainability has been increasing. This current work aims to develop a sustainable treatment for oral traumatic ulcers using licorice-based hyd...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Pharmaceutics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/12/2734 |
| _version_ | 1797379630994292736 |
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| author | Sarah G. Moussa Nada M. El Hoffy Yara Y. Mouselhy Ramy Mubarak Reem T. Attia Noha Khalil Sherif A. Amer |
| author_facet | Sarah G. Moussa Nada M. El Hoffy Yara Y. Mouselhy Ramy Mubarak Reem T. Attia Noha Khalil Sherif A. Amer |
| author_sort | Sarah G. Moussa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The urge to implement innovative approaches that align with eco-friendly practices and hold promise for enhancing oral health while promoting environmental sustainability has been increasing. This current work aims to develop a sustainable treatment for oral traumatic ulcers using licorice-based hydrogels (LHGs) containing hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) as the green gelling agent. Licorice root aqueous extract was phytochemically profiled using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Forty-three compounds were detected, with Glycyrrhizic acid being the major component of the extract (34.85 ± 2.77%). By implementing a Quality by Design (QbD) approach, the study investigates the effects of different licorice extract and HEC concentrations on key variables such as pH and viscosity of the prepared formulations, ulcer and wound healing scores, and tissue growth factors via a Full Factorial Experimental Design. The LHGs exhibited desirable consistency, spreadability, and clarity. Statistical analysis, employing an ANOVA test, revealed the high significance of the constructed models with the licorice concentration being the key independent factor affecting all dependent outputs. The pH as well as the viscosity of the prepared LHGs were positively influenced by licorice extract concentration, with higher concentrations leading to increased alkalinity and viscosity. Rheological behavior analysis revealed a pseudoplastic flow with demonstrated thixotropy which is advantageous for application and prolongation of residence time. The wound healing process was assessed through ulcer size, traumatic ulcer healing score (UHS), collagen-1 expression (COL-1), growth factors (EGF, VEGF), pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-α), wound healing score (WHS). LHGs prepared using higher levels of both factors, 30% dried licorice root extract and 4% HEC, demonstrated enhanced wound healing, elevated growth factor expression of 66.67% and 23.24%, respectively, and 88% reduced inflammation compared to the control group, indicating their potential in expediting oral ulcer recovery. Overall, these findings highlight the promising role of green licorice-based hydrogels in promoting sustainable oral mucosal healing. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:26:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4e005365755540c8ab7344e2ecd18427 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4923 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:26:52Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmaceutics |
| spelling | doaj.art-4e005365755540c8ab7344e2ecd184272023-12-22T14:32:10ZengMDPI AGPharmaceutics1999-49232023-12-011512273410.3390/pharmaceutics15122734Sustainable Treatment of Oral Traumatic Ulcers with Licorice Containing Hydrogels: Integrating Computational Modeling, Quality by Design, Green Synthesis, and Molecular Biological EvaluationSarah G. Moussa0Nada M. El Hoffy1Yara Y. Mouselhy2Ramy Mubarak3Reem T. Attia4Noha Khalil5Sherif A. Amer6Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, and Diagnosis, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, EgyptDepartment of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, EgyptDepartment of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, EgyptDepartment of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, and Diagnosis, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, EgyptDepartment of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, EgyptDepartment of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, EgyptDepartment of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, and Diagnosis, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Future University in Egypt, Cairo 11835, EgyptThe urge to implement innovative approaches that align with eco-friendly practices and hold promise for enhancing oral health while promoting environmental sustainability has been increasing. This current work aims to develop a sustainable treatment for oral traumatic ulcers using licorice-based hydrogels (LHGs) containing hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) as the green gelling agent. Licorice root aqueous extract was phytochemically profiled using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Forty-three compounds were detected, with Glycyrrhizic acid being the major component of the extract (34.85 ± 2.77%). By implementing a Quality by Design (QbD) approach, the study investigates the effects of different licorice extract and HEC concentrations on key variables such as pH and viscosity of the prepared formulations, ulcer and wound healing scores, and tissue growth factors via a Full Factorial Experimental Design. The LHGs exhibited desirable consistency, spreadability, and clarity. Statistical analysis, employing an ANOVA test, revealed the high significance of the constructed models with the licorice concentration being the key independent factor affecting all dependent outputs. The pH as well as the viscosity of the prepared LHGs were positively influenced by licorice extract concentration, with higher concentrations leading to increased alkalinity and viscosity. Rheological behavior analysis revealed a pseudoplastic flow with demonstrated thixotropy which is advantageous for application and prolongation of residence time. The wound healing process was assessed through ulcer size, traumatic ulcer healing score (UHS), collagen-1 expression (COL-1), growth factors (EGF, VEGF), pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-α), wound healing score (WHS). LHGs prepared using higher levels of both factors, 30% dried licorice root extract and 4% HEC, demonstrated enhanced wound healing, elevated growth factor expression of 66.67% and 23.24%, respectively, and 88% reduced inflammation compared to the control group, indicating their potential in expediting oral ulcer recovery. Overall, these findings highlight the promising role of green licorice-based hydrogels in promoting sustainable oral mucosal healing.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/12/2734green synthesissustainabilitylicoriceoral ulcerhydroxyethyl cellulosehydrogels |
| spellingShingle | Sarah G. Moussa Nada M. El Hoffy Yara Y. Mouselhy Ramy Mubarak Reem T. Attia Noha Khalil Sherif A. Amer Sustainable Treatment of Oral Traumatic Ulcers with Licorice Containing Hydrogels: Integrating Computational Modeling, Quality by Design, Green Synthesis, and Molecular Biological Evaluation Pharmaceutics green synthesis sustainability licorice oral ulcer hydroxyethyl cellulose hydrogels |
| title | Sustainable Treatment of Oral Traumatic Ulcers with Licorice Containing Hydrogels: Integrating Computational Modeling, Quality by Design, Green Synthesis, and Molecular Biological Evaluation |
| title_full | Sustainable Treatment of Oral Traumatic Ulcers with Licorice Containing Hydrogels: Integrating Computational Modeling, Quality by Design, Green Synthesis, and Molecular Biological Evaluation |
| title_fullStr | Sustainable Treatment of Oral Traumatic Ulcers with Licorice Containing Hydrogels: Integrating Computational Modeling, Quality by Design, Green Synthesis, and Molecular Biological Evaluation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sustainable Treatment of Oral Traumatic Ulcers with Licorice Containing Hydrogels: Integrating Computational Modeling, Quality by Design, Green Synthesis, and Molecular Biological Evaluation |
| title_short | Sustainable Treatment of Oral Traumatic Ulcers with Licorice Containing Hydrogels: Integrating Computational Modeling, Quality by Design, Green Synthesis, and Molecular Biological Evaluation |
| title_sort | sustainable treatment of oral traumatic ulcers with licorice containing hydrogels integrating computational modeling quality by design green synthesis and molecular biological evaluation |
| topic | green synthesis sustainability licorice oral ulcer hydroxyethyl cellulose hydrogels |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4923/15/12/2734 |
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