Innovative anti-fibrotic strategy using a bromelain containing mucoadhesive patch for effective collagen breakdown and cytotoxicity in oral submucous fibrosis

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a critical health issue linked to betel quid chewing, with potential progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma. Bromelain, an enzyme from pineapple stems, offers anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic benefits for OSF treatment. This study introduces a novel mucoadhesive patch containing Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme that aids in the degradation of collagen associated with inflammation in OSF. The patches were evaluated for several physical and biological properties and demonstrated a folding endurance of 4, indicating mechanical robustness for buccal application. Haemolysis assays showed low haemolytic activity (absorbance ∼0.058), ensuring hemocompatibility. X-ray diffraction revealed crystalline peaks at 44.5 °C, confirming bromelain’s structural integrity, FTIR analysis identified key functional groups, and Scanning Electron Microscopy depicted a uniform structure with 30 µm particle sizes, suggesting consistent drug release. SDS–PAGE demonstrated significant degradation of human type I collagen by bromelain and cytotoxicity assays indicated dose- and time-dependent inhibition of KB 3–1 cell viability, with an IC50 value of 6.18 µg/µl, revealing bromelain’s anti-cancer potential. Haematoxylin and eosin staining of rat tail tissue showed significant degradation of type 1 collagen with bromelain-containing patches, showing their proteolytic activity. Picrosirius red staining revealed test specimens showing significantly thinner fibers with a darker background, indicating reduced collagen packing in OSF specimen compared to control. The findings collectively suggest that the Bromelain-containing mucoadhesive patches not only effectively target collagen degradation but also offer a promising, minimally invasive therapeutic approach for managing OSF. This research contributes to the development of innovative drug delivery systems aimed at improving treatment outcomes in oral health. [Display omitted] •Developed a novel Bromelain-containing mucoadhesive patch for OSF treatment.•Identified Bromelain-collagen interactions and tissue alterations using advanced techniques (XRD, FTIR, SEM).•Confirmed patch durability and biocompatibility through folding endurance, haemolysis tests, and protein stability via SDS–PAGE.•Demonstrated antimicrobial activity and assessed cell viability and cytotoxic potential via in vitro assays (MTT).