Effects of mucoadhessive paste of chlorhexidine and betamethasone on oral ulcer recovery process in rats.

INTRODUCTION

Ulcers are one of the most frequent conditions affecting the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of chlorhexidine and betamethasone on oral mucosa wound healing in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, adult male rats were used in 5 groups (n = 16 per group): bethamethasone (B); chlorhexidine (CHX); betamethasone and chlorhexidine (BC); control (C) no drugs; and blank (BB). A wound measuring 2 mm in diameter was punched into the hard palate of each rat. A mucosal defect measuring 2 mm in diameter and 0.2 mm in wall thickness was made to the depth of the periosteum in the palate with a round stainless steel blade designed for punch biopsy. For topical application, a swab was soaked in the appropriate study material and packed into the wound. The control group was not treated. Histological samples were harvested on post-injury days 2, 4, 6, and 8.

RESULTS

Comparison of clinical size of wound showed that groups B and BC had the greatest reduction in wound size on days 4, 6, and 8. A higher count of polymorphonuclear cells was observed on days 2 and 4 in groups BB, CHX, and C. A lower count of mononuclear cells in group BC on days 6 and 8, compared to other groups, was also observed. Groups B and BC showed the highest fibroblast counts at all the intervals, with significant differences between the groups (P < 0.05). The inflammation score was highest at all the intervals in group C. The highest thickness of epithelium was observed in groups B and BC on days 6 and 8, which was significantly different from the other groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed the best wound healing processes from clinical and histological aspects in the B and BC groups. Chlorhexidine alone had no significant effect on wound healing and was not an effective drug alone. .