Formulation and Characterization of a Transfersome-based Oral Care Gel: Development and Delivery of Encapsulated Lidocaine

Khan, I ORCID: 0000-0002-4206-7663, Houacine, C and Shahreza, MJ (2025) Formulation and Characterization of a Transfersome-based Oral Care Gel: Development and Delivery of Encapsulated Lidocaine. Journal of Natural Products Discovery, 4 (2). ISSN 2755-1997

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Abstract

Introduction: This study reports the formulation and development of oral gel-based transfersome nanoformulations prepared via the thin-film method. Lidocaine was incorporated as the active local anaesthetic agent, and different concentrations of excipients were employedto achieve the optimizedgel characteristics.
Aims: The aim of this research is to design, develop, and optimize a novel oral care gel in combination with lidocaine-entrapped transfersome carriersintended to promote gingival health, and improve thephysicochemical and structural characteristics of the formulation for therapeutic applications in oral care.
Methods:Hydrogels with lidocainewere manufacturedvia sequential phase A–D compoundingwith and without preservative (phenoxyethanol+ethylhexylglycerin or Plantaserve E), then homogenizedviamagnetic stirring and high-shear mixing to achieve optimum uniformity. Transfersomes were produced by thin-film hydration usinga rotary evaporator. These gel-based formulations were then characterized for their rheological properties, texture analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Lidocaine entrapment efficiencywas quantified using the HPLC techniqueandantimicrobial activity was tested against Candida albicans.
Results: The optimized gelincorporated transfersome formulationwith lidocaine(NF8) demonstrated near-physiological pH (~6.5) and spreadability of 3.0 cm (the same as the control product, 3.0 cm). The same gel formulation showed a viscosity of ~75,840 cP and ~28,200 cP at 2.5 and 10 rpm. The texture analyzer showed a firmness of 122.3 ± 9.1 g and a shear work of 61.7 ± 9.1 g/sec. Entrapment efficiency of lidocaine in transfersome nanoformulation was found to be 71%, whereas the particle size and zeta potential were found to be 268nm and -3 mV. Whereasnon-sonicated dispersions showed largertransfersome particle size (453 nm) and wide polydispersity (PDI of 0.81).
Conclusion:These findings showed that transfersome-based gel has the potential to be used for their oral care application alongside their analgesic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica
Divisions:	Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Publisher:	Liverpool John Moores University
Date of acceptance:	27 October 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	3 November 2025
Date Deposited:	03 Nov 2025 14:13
Last Modified:	03 Nov 2025 14:15
DOI or ID number:	10.24377/jnpd.article3407
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27466

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