Effect of nano-chitosan and nano-doxycycline gel on healing of induced oral ulcer in rat model: histological and immunohistochemical study

Research Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nano-chitosan and nano-doxycycline gel on healing of oral ulcers. Methods In this study, 37 rats were used, four of which acted as normal controls (group 1), while the remaining 33 were distributed into three groups, each with 11 rats. Oral ulcers were chemically induced in the labial mucosa, after which (group 2), ulcer group received no treatment, (group 3) received nano-chitosan gel, and (group 4) received nano-doxycycline gel. They were scarified after 14 days and histologically examined as well as immunostaining for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results The best clinical and histologic healing results were shown in nano-chitosan group, followed by nano-doxycycline group, while the ulcer group showed incomplete healing. This was confirmed by immunostaining as area % of VEGF and number PCNA were the highest in nano-chitosan group followed by nano-doxycycline group, then ulcer group. Conclusion Both nano-chitosan and nano-doxycycline gels improved the healing of chemically induced oral ulcers; however, nano-chitosan exhibited better healing outcomes. Clinical relevance Nano-chitosan and nano-doxycycline gels are both viable and safe alternatives to current ulcer treatments

Research Keywords

Oral ulcer · Wound healing · Chitosan · Doxycycline · Nano technology