Effects of a mucoadhesive formulation containing Curcuma longa L. on oral wound healing

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a topical mucoadhesive formulation with Curcuma longa L. extract (MFC) on oral wound healing. Methods: Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Control, Vehicle, and MFC. Traumatic ulcers were made on the dorsum of the tongue with a 3-mm diameter punch. Vehicle and MFC groups received application of the products twice a day, while animals in the control group were cared for in identical conditions but received no product application. Six rats in each group were euthanized at days 3, 5, 10, and 14. Percentage of repair was calculated based on wound area. HE-stained histological sections were obtained for semi-quantitative analysis of re-epithelization and inflammation. Results: Clinical findings revealed that at days 3 and 5, animals from the MFC group exhibited a significantly higher percentage of wound repair. At day 5, animals from this group also demonstrated a significant increase in the degree of re-epithelization and inflammation. Conclusions: MFC is capable of accelerating oral wound repair in an in vivo model by modulating the inflammatory process and stimulating epithelial proliferation. (AU)

TGF-ß1 and its association with clinicopathological features, proliferative activity and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study

Introduction: The prognostic value of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-ß1) in oral cancer remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate TGF-ß1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) samples and its association with clinicopathological data, tumor proliferative activity, and patients' prognosis. Methods: A total of 68 patients with histopathological diagnosis of OSCC were included, as well as 9 cases of normal oral mucosa for comparison purposes. The OSCC sample was categorized according to patients' outcomes in favorable prognosis (n=30) or unfavorable prognosis (n=38). Immunohistochemical staining for TGF-ß1 and Ki-67 were performed. The slides were semi-quantitatively and quantitatively evaluated for TGF-ß1 and Ki-67, respectively. Results: TGF-ß1 was significantly increased in OSCC compared to normal oral mucosa (<0.01). An inverse correlation was found between TGF-ß1 and Ki67 staining in OSCC (p=0.01). No association was found between TGF-ß1 expression and OSCC clinicopathological features, prognosis or survival. Conclusions: TGF-ß1 had no prognostic value and appears to maintain its suppressive role concerning cell proliferation. (AU)