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

Despite pharmacological advancements of oral ulcer treatment, developing sustained-release delivery systems remains a challenge. To address this, we designed a bioinspired microneedle platform integrating Turkish gall extract for targeted ulcer therapy. Drawing on the structural principles of octopus suckers, we fabricated a 3D-printed microneedle array with suction-enhanced morphology, replicated into a hydrogel-based mold. The microneedle matrix was synthesized by combining Turkish gall extract, polydopamine, and hyaluronic acid methacrylate, leveraging polydopamine's catechol chemistry for robust mucoadhesion. Pharmacological evaluations confirmed the dual functionality of the herbal component, demonstrating dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in vitro and in rodents. Applied to oral ulcer lesions in rats, the microneedle system exhibited prolonged mucosal retention with sustained drug release, significantly accelerating epithelial regeneration. These findings establish the sucker-inspired herbal microneedle platform as a mechanochemically optimized therapeutic strategy and provide a translational framework for modernizing traditional herbal delivery.