Formulation study for the development of a gel/cream produced with Mauritia flexuosa (buriti oil)

Abstract

Mauritia flexuosa, known as ‘buriti’, is an excellent source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant, hypolipidaemic, sun protection, antiplatelet, antithrombotic, hypoglycaemic, antimicrobial and antitumour properties. Considering these properties, it could be used as a therapeutic for conditions that affect the mouth, such as ulcerations and erythema. Among the oral conditions, we can mention oral mucositis, which is characterised by erythema, atrophy and ulceration of the mucous membrane. Thus, this work aimed to develop a phytotherapeutic pharmaceutical formulation for oral application that contains 5% buriti oil as the active ingredient. Five formulations were developed, and one (F5) of the formulations was chosen and subjected to organoleptic and physicochemical analysis (pH, density, and high-performance liquid crhromatography - HPLC), and later to a 3-month stability study in an accelerated climactic chamber. The initially obtained gel/cream was stable according to the tests to which it was submitted. However, after storage for 3 months, it showed a markedly reduced density, indicating the loss of volatile compounds, possibly vitamins A and E. Overall, the gel/cream formulated with buriti oil displays characteristics that make it potentially suitable for the treatment of oral ulcerations such as oral mucositis.