Efeito da aplicação tópica do extrato de camomila e da curcumina em úlceras traumáticas em língua de ratos : análise clínica e histológica

Abstract

The oral mucosa is a frequent site for traumatic ulcers, which can be caused by mechanical or chemical agents. There is no a gold standard treatment for the management of these lesions, which can be painful and have a negative impact on quality of life. Although studies suggest the use of chamomile and curcumin in the treatment of ulcerated lesions of the oral mucosa, there is no a consensus as to its efficacy in the management of these lesions. The literature has shown that both phytotherapics modulate the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1β. Therefore, in the first article of this dissertation, an integrative literature review was conducted investigating the efficacy of topical interventions with chamomile and curcumin in the management of pain and in the healing of ulcerated lesions of the oral mucosa. Few controlled clinical trials have been found and they suggest a beneficial effect of chamomile and curcumin in the healing process and in the reduction of symptoms in patients with oral mucositis, recurrent aphthous ulceration and oral lichen planus. Studies in animal demonstrated a reduction in the inflammatory wound healing phase, increased deposition of collagen fibers and epithelization. The second article of this dissertation presents an experimental study, which was carried out to evaluate the effect of the 10% chamomile extract and 2% curcumin in the repair of traumatic ulcers on tongue of rats. Thirty-nine Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, chamomile extract and curcumin. A 5-mm-diameter excisional wound was made in the center of ventral tongue. The substances were applied as a gel twice daily for five days. The animals were euthanized 7 days after the lesions were made. In the macroscopic evaluation, there was no significant difference among chamomile, curcumin and control groups regarding to area of residual ulcer (P= 0.20). Histological analysis also showed no difference among the groups regarding newly formed epithelium area (P=0.97) or intensity of inflammatory infiltrate (P=0.72). Considering the experimental model, the findings of the present study showed that 10% chamomile extract and 2% curcumin did not accelerate the repair of traumatic oral ulcers or reduced the intensity of the inflammatory infiltrate, contradicting previous findings in the literature.