A Cellulose Aerogel-Based Drug Delivery System using Punica Granatum Extracts - Invention to Innovation

Oral lichen planus is a widespread chronic mucocutaneous, autoimmune inflammatory disorder affecting the oral cavity. Oral lichen planus is usually associated with pain, burning sensation and irritation of the oral mucosa. Multiple therapeutic approaches including both topical and systemic corticosteroids have been used in the management. As a consequence of the reported adverse effects of corticosteroids, different natural plant extracts have been suggested.<br/>Pomegranates (punica granatum) have been identified for hundreds of years as natural treatment modality for their numerous benefits for health. Topical punica granatum extracts gel in management of oral lichen planus has been tried as a topical medication and according to research it has anti-inflammatory property, which help to subsite the symptoms of oral lichen planus but the disadvantage is that punica granatum extracts gel dissolve quickly inside the oral cavity by saliva, thus providing less application time. Prolonged application time of the medication is required for faster recovery.<br/>As a result, drug (punica granatum extracts gel) -loaded cellulose aerogel have been introduced as a promising drug delivery carrier to deliver medications to the affected area by controlled release. They prolong the time of application as the medication slowly dissolves in saliva and is released to the particular applied area of irritation caused by oral lichen planus. Cellulose is used in this process, as cellulose is the perfect raw material for cellulose aerogel due to its easy availability, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and nontoxicity. It also offers a high surface area, a highly porous, interconnected fibre network, and the availability of various functional groups required for drug encapsulation.<br/>Hence, a cellulose aerogel-based drug delivery system is developed from the punica granatum extracts gel in the management of oral lichen planus as an alternative treatment plan to prolong the application time and control release of the medication.<br/>After development of the product, it has been applied in the oral lichen planus patients. Total thirty patients were divided into two groups, group a patient with topical corticosteroids and group b patients with drug (punica granatum extracts gel) -loaded cellulose aerogel. The results were better in group b patient, who were using drug (punica granatum extracts gel) -loaded cellulose aerogel.