Octopus sucker-inspired, Turkish gall extract-integrated microneedle patch for oral ulcer mitigation.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Oral Medicine

Background:

• Developing sustained-release oral ulcer treatments is challenging despite pharmacological progress.
• Traditional herbal remedies offer therapeutic potential but lack advanced delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a bioinspired microneedle platform for targeted oral ulcer therapy using Turkish gall extract.
• To leverage octopus sucker principles for enhanced microneedle adhesion and drug release.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a 3D-printed microneedle array with suction-enhanced morphology.
• Synthesis of a hydrogel matrix incorporating Turkish gall extract, polydopamine, and hyaluronic acid methacrylate.
• In vitro and in vivo evaluation of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mucoadhesive properties, along with ulcer healing efficacy in rats.

Main Results:

• The microneedle system demonstrated robust mucoadhesion due to polydopamine's catechol chemistry.
• Turkish gall extract exhibited dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
• Application to rat oral ulcers resulted in prolonged retention, sustained release, and accelerated epithelial regeneration.

Conclusions:

• The sucker-inspired herbal microneedle platform offers a mechanochemically optimized therapeutic strategy for oral ulcers.
• This approach provides a translational framework for modernizing traditional herbal medicine delivery systems.