1 Associate Professor, Adsul College of Pharmacy, Chas Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra.
2 Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, Vishwakarma University, Pune, Maharashtra - 411048.
3 Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Gandhi College of Pharmacy, Karnal, Haryana - 132001.
4 Professor, School of Pharmacy, Mangalayatan University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India.
5 Shivajirao S Jondhle College of Pharmacy, Asangaon, Thane, Mumbai - 421 601, India.
6* Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Pallavaram, Chennai - 600117. Email: jayavasavi.sps@vistas.ac.in
7,8 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Quality Assurance, School of Pharmacy, Rai University, Saroda, Dholka Road, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India - 382260.
8 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Quality Assurance, Ahmedabad Institute of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India - 380013.
Corresponding Author: G. Jaya Vasavi, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Pallavaram, Chennai - 600117. Email: jayavasavi.sps@vistas.ac.in
Received: 20th Feb, 2026 | Revised: 4th Mar, 2026 | Accepted: 25th Mar, 2026 | Available Online: 10th Apr, 2026
Radiation-induced oral mucositis is a common and debilitating complication observed in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. The condition is characterized by inflammation, ulceration, and severe pain in the oral mucosa, which significantly affects patient comfort and may interfere with cancer treatment schedules. The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate a rutin-embedded mucoadhesive in situ forming hydrogel for localized prevention and management of radiation-induced oral mucositis. Rutin, a natural flavonoid with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, was incorporated into a thermosensitive hydrogel system prepared using poloxamer 407, carbopol 934, and HPMC K15M. The developed formulations were evaluated for physicochemical properties including pH, viscosity, gelation temperature, spreadability, and drug content. Mucoadhesive strength was assessed using porcine buccal mucosa, while in vitro drug release studies were conducted using Franz diffusion cells. The optimized formulation exhibited suitable pH, strong mucoadhesion, and sustained drug release over 24 hours. Biological evaluations demonstrated significant antioxidant activity and inhibition of nitric oxide production, indicating preserved anti-inflammatory potential of rutin. Cytotoxicity studies using human oral keratinocyte cells confirmed good biocompatibility of the formulation. Stability studies further indicated satisfactory physicochemical stability under storage conditions. Overall, the developed rutin-loaded mucoadhesive hydrogel demonstrated promising characteristics for localized therapy of radiation-induced oral mucositis.
Keywords: Rutin, Mucoadhesive Hydrogel, In Situ Gel, Oral Mucositis, Radiotherapy Complications, Antioxidant, Drug Delivery System.
How to cite this article: Ashok LD, Shaha A, Vohra S, Rani G, Nangude MS, Vasavi GJ, Pathare S, Patel BD. Formulation And Evaluation Of Rutin-Embedded Mucoadhesive In Situ Forming Hydrogel For Prevention And Treatment Of Radiation-Induced Oral Mucositis In Cancer Patients. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(29s):34-48. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.29s.6
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.