CURCUMA LONGA L. HAS THERAPEUTIC EFFECT IN CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED ORAL MUCOSITIS IN HAMSTERS DECREASING ANGIOGENESIS AND TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR-β1

Objectives We explored the effects of mucoadhesive formulation with Curcuma longa L. extract (MCL) on oral mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil in hamsters. Study Design Seventy-two golden Syrian hamsters separated into 4 groups: control group, placebo group (no active substance), positive control group (AdMuc topical chamomile), and MCL group (topical use of mucoadhesive Curcuma longa). The animals received an intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil on days 0 and 2. On days 3 and 4, the buccal mucosa was scratched, and therapy was initiated on day 5. The animals received 2 daily applications of the product according to the experimental group. Wound area was calculated and histologic sections of 3 μm were stained by hematoxylin and eosin for semiquantitative analysis of re-epithelization and degree of tissue inflammation. Immunohistochemistry was used for transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and CD31 analysis. Results The MCL group showed a greater clinical reduction of the mucositis lesions at day 8, a higher degree of re-epithelization, and a lower inflammatory process, with a lower angiogenesis and TGF-β1 epithelial labeling compared with the placebo and control groups (P Conclusions MCL Curcuma longa L. has a therapeutic effect accelerating the healing of oral mucositis reducing the inflammatory response and increasing re-epithelization.