Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) Extracts Accelerate Oral Mucosal Wound Healing In Vivo

Abstract

Background: Oral mucosal pain and sores are common concerns in dental care, often resulting from surgeries, infections, trauma, or autoimmune disorders. Conventional treatments like NSAIDs offer relief but carry adverse side effects. Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) has been traditionally used for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, its potential in oral mucosal wound healing remains underexplored. Methods: This study utilized male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) to assess the wound healing effects of nutmeg extracts and fractions. Nutmeg was extracted using maceration, and the fractions were obtained through liquid-liquid extraction. Rats were divided into control and treatment groups, and topical nutmeg treatments were applied daily to incised gingival mucosa. Wound closure time was monitored daily, and healing rates were analyzed. Results: The ethyl acetate fraction of nutmeg exhibited the fastest wound healing, achieving an average healing rate of 88.79%, closely matching the positive control (94.65%). Other fractions also demonstrated efficacy, with the aqueous fraction achieving 82.46% and the ethanol fraction 75.54%. The hexane fraction showed the slowest healing at 63.67%. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Nutmeg extracts, particularly the ethyl acetate fraction, significantly accelerated wound healing in the oral mucosa of Wistar rats, highlighting its potential as a natural wound-healing agent. Further research is needed to isolate the bioactive compounds responsible for these effects and to explore their clinical applications in dental care.