Mucoadhesive formulation containing Curcuma longa L. reduces oral mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil in hamsters

We explored the effects of a mucoadhesive formulation containing curcuminoid (MFC) from Curcuma longa L. extract on oral mucositis (OM) induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in hamsters. Seventy-two golden Syrian hamsters were randomly allocated into four groups: control, placebo, chamomilla, and MFC. Animals received an intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU at Days 0 and 2. On Days 3 and 4, the buccal mucosa was scratched. Therapy was initiated on Day 5. Animals received two applications of the substances per day according to the experimental group. Six animals were euthanized on Days 8, 10, and 14. Clinical analysis were performed using photography and histopathological sections of 3 μm were stained by hematoxylin-eosin for semiquantitative analysis of re-epithelization and inflammation. Immunohistochemistry was used for angiogenesis (CD31) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) analysis. On Day 5, all groups exhibited OM. Clinical and histopathological findings revealed that on Day 8, both MFC and chamomilla groups exhibited better wound healing. In addition, the MFC group demonstrated lower angiogenesis and TGF-β1 levels on Day 8 compared with placebo and control groups. Collectively, these findings suggest that MFC has a therapeutic effect on OM, accelerating wound healing through re-epithelization and anti-inflammatory action as modulation of angiogenesis and TGF-β1 expression.