INTRODUCTION:

Mouth ulcers are yellowish or white depressions with red margins in the mucous lining of the mouth cavity. They are characterized by inflammation and pain¹. Oral ulcers are caused by the erosion or loss of the upper mucosal layer and are one of the most frequently encountered pathological conditions of the oral cavity². The exact cause of these sores is not yet clear, and a variety of conditions are believed to play a role in their occurrence, including viral, fungal, treponemal, autoimmune, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, psychological stress, and malignancy³ Any underlying systemic condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease or cyclic neutropenia sometimes determines the nature, site, duration, and frequency of oral ulcers⁴. Various medicaments, including antibiotics, antiseptics, local anesthetics, local analgesics, and steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are suggested to treat mouth ulcers⁵. However, topical steroids, the most frequently used treatments, have serious adverse effects with continuous application, such as adrenal insufficiency, immunosuppression, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, and gastrointestinal disturbance⁶. As a result, the use of plant-based medications is gaining popularity due to better patient compliance and fewer side effects ⁷. Studies have reported the use of plant parts or extracts, such as rhizome of Curcuma longa, leaves of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), and leaves of Curry, for the treatment of oral ulcers ⁸. To harness the benefits of herbal treatments, novel dosages in the form of herbal mouth ulcer chewing gum are being developed ⁹. Medicated chewing gum has the potential to be a suitable alternative approach due to its unique medication administration method and medicinal support ¹⁰. The use of medicated chewing gum as a medicine delivery method is becoming more popular due to its advantages, such as faster onset of action, bypassing first pass metabolism, and avoiding gastrointestinal degradation. Therefore, the current study was designed to formulate herbal chewing gums¹¹. Supporters of herbal medicines argue that products with a long history of popular use are generally safe when used properly at common therapeutic doses ¹². Drug administration via different routes for systemic pharmacological effects is common, with the oral route being the most popular ¹³. Out of various dosage forms administered orally, chewing gum is the most popular. Herbal chewing gum, considered a novel drug delivery system, ¹⁴ contains gum bases with pharmacologically active ingredients and is intended for local treatment of mouth diseases or systemic absorption through the oral mucosa ¹⁵. Herbal chewing gum is considered a vehicle or a drug delivery system to administer active principles that can improve health and nutrition¹⁶.

Plant Profile:

Tulsi Leaves

Scientific name: Ocimum tenuiflorum.

Family: Lamiaceae

Biological source: Tulsi consists of fresh and dried leaves of Ocimum species like Ocimum sanctum L. and Ocimum basilicum L.

Fig No.1 Tulsi Leaves

Chemical Constituent: Phytochemical studies have shown that oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, rosmarinic acid, eugenol, carvacrol, linalool, and β-caryophyllene are some of the main chemical constituents of Tulsi ¹⁷.

Curcumin:

Scientific Name: Curcuma longa.

Family: Zingiberaceae.

Biological source: Curcumin is the active ingredient of the dietary spice turmeric and is extracted from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, a plant in the Zingiberaceae family ¹⁸.

Chemical Constituent: Native to southern India and Indonesia, turmeric is widely cultivated on the mainland and in the islands of the Indian Ocean ¹⁹.

Curry Leaves:

Scientific Name: Murraya koenigii.

Family: Rutaceae

Fig 2 Curcuma longa

Biological Source: Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng or its common name curry leaf tree is a small strong-smelling perennial shrub commonly found in forests as undergrowth ²⁰. It was originally cultivated in India for its aromatic leaves and ornament is normally used for natural Flavouring in curries and sauces.

Fig 3 Curry leaves

Chemical Constituent:

The phytoconstituents isolated so far from the leaves are alkaloids viz., mahanine, koenine, koenigine, koenidine, girinimbiol, girinimibine, koenimbine, O-methyl murrayamine A, O-methyl mahanine, isomahanine, bismahanine, bispyrayafoline and other phytoconstituents such as coumarin glycoside viz., scopoti ²².

Experimental Section:

Material Method:

Collection of Plant: The Plant of Tulasi Leaves, Curry Leaves, and Curcumin Rhizome

Were Collected from The Nearby Area of Kolpewadi Village (Kopargaon, A.Nagar, and Maharashtra, India.

Collection of Herbal Excipient: Herbal Excipient (Gum Base, Colouring Agent

Flavouring Agent, Sweetening Agent) Was Purchased from India Mart.

Extraction process:

Fig No.4 Soxhlet Apparatus.

Fig No.5 Curcuma Longa Extract

Fig No.6 Curry Leaves Extract.

Fig No.7 Tulsi Leaves Extracts

Formulation formula:

Table No1. Each Gum contain active ingredient.

1.	Gum Base	160mg
2.	Tulasi Leaves Extract	80 Mg
3.	Curcuma Longa Extract	80 Mg
4.	Curry Leaves Extract	80 Mg
5.	Honey	Q. S
6.	Flavoring Agent	Q. S
	Water	Q. S

Method of Formulation:

All ingredients were weighed accurately as shown in the formulation table. The gum base was crushed in the mortar and pestle. An adequate volume of distilled water was added and stirred in the porcelain dish, then honey was mixed in. The dish was kept in a water bath, and the temperature was maintained at about 35-45 degrees Celsius. The drug was then added to the above mixture. The corresponding amount of sugar, colouring agent, and flavouring agent was added to the mixture with continuous stirring for up to 30 minutes. Finally, an adequate amount of flavour was incorporated into the mixture. The mass was poured into the mould and allowed to cool at room temperature. The gum pieces were then removed.

RESULT:

The formulations prepared using conventional methods exhibit a light pink colour and a soft consistency, while also displaying good consistency but being sticky. These formulations demonstrate anti-ulcer activity. An herbal chewing gum containing extracts of Tulasi leaves, curry leaves, and Curcuma longa rhizome was effectively prepared by employing various concentrations of these extracts. This formulation had a significant impact on the drug release profile.

CONCLUSION:

After carefully preparation, the herbal chewing gum has demonstrated a significant impact on the release of the drug. Through the evaluation of various formulations, it has been determined that Formulation stands out as the optimal choice, achieving maximum drug release in just 14 minutes. This makes it the preferred option for creating herbal chewing gum to effectively treat mouth ulcers, ultimately improving patient adherence and optimizing drug release.

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Received on 27.12.2025 Revised on 10.01.2026

Accepted on 31.01.2026 Published on 14.02.2026

Available online from February 18, 2026

Research J. Science and Tech. 2026; 18(1):100-104.

DOI: 10.52711/2349-2988.2026.00015

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