Abstract
In traditional communities of the Brazilian Amazon, the copaiba oleoresin (C. reticulata Ducke) is widely known for its therapeutic activity, especially its wound healing and anti-inflammatory actions. Our study aimed to evaluate these effects in oral lesions and the safety of the dosage proposed. A punch biopsy wound was induced on the ventral surface of the tongue of forty-five male Wistar rats under anesthesia. Animals were randomly allocated to one of three groups based on the treatment: control, corticoid and copaiba. A daily dose of each treatment and vehicle was administrated by oral gavage for three consecutive days. Sample collections took place on the third, seventh and 15th days post-wounding for clinical and histopathological analyses. Blood was collected on the third and seventh days for kidneys and liver function tests. Semi-quantitative analyses were performed based on scores of inflammation and reepithelization. Tissue collagen deposition was detected by PicroSirius red staining. Copaiba-treated wounds revealed a smaller wound area, decreased of acute inflammatory reaction and enhanced reepithelization. The levels of kidney and liver function tests did not reveal presence of damage post-treatments. Our findings suggest that copaiba oleoresin is a safe and effective alternative therapy for inflammation and tissue repair of oral wounds in this animal model.
Highlights
Aphthae and traumatic ulcers are common inflammatory conditions in the oral mucosa
Despite oral mucosa wounds being able to heal more rapidly than skin wounds [21], some oral lesions may produce discomfort during food intake or even speaking, interfering with the patient’s quality of life, making effective wound healing therapy necessary [1,2]. The results of this animal model study demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of copaiba oleoresin (C. reticulata Ducke) on the wound-healing process in oral mucosa compared to corticoid therapy—often prescribed by dental professionals for oral lesions [3,4]
The biochemical analyses revealed that the dosage of Copaiba oleoresin administered in our experiment was harmless to the kidneys and liver of Wistar rats
Summary
Aphthae and traumatic ulcers are common inflammatory conditions in the oral mucosa. These oral lesions are painful and produce discomfort during food intake or even speaking, interfering with the patient’s quality of life [1,2]. The use of medicinal plants for healing is the oldest form of medicinal practice of mankind [7]. Contemporary science has shown that some natural compounds have high anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and regenerative effects [8]. The main advantages of using remedies of plant origin are the low cost and usually smaller number of side effects [10], they are composed of several substances in addition to the active compound which can have synergistic or antagonistic action [11]. It is important to study its effectiveness as well as its safety in medical applications
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