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Updated: Dec 21, 2025
A Protocol for Transcranial Photobiomodulation Therapy in Mice
Published on: November 18, 2018
Photobiomodulation therapy inhibits oral submucous fibrosis in mice
Min-Hsuan Chiang1,2, Kun-Tsung Lee1,3, Chia-Hsin Chen2,4,5,6,7
1School of Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Objectives:
Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic inflammatory disease and a potentially malignant oral disorder. However, the best therapeutic treatment for OSMF remains uncertain. Our previous study showed that photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy and forskolin could reduce arecoline-induced fibrosis reactions via the cAMP pathway. The present study aimed to establish an animal model of areca nut extract (ANE)-induced OSMF and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of PBM and forskolin for ANE-induced OSMF.
Subjects And Methods:
The mice were divided into five groups. The buccal tissues were harvested for histomorphological analysis and immunoblotting.
Results:
Our results showed that PBM significantly reduced the development of ANE-induced OSMF, quantified by changes in submucosal layer thickness and collagen deposition. Additionally, PBM could extensively reduce the protein expression of the fibrotic marker genes alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in buccal submucous lesions. However, forskolin treatment significantly decreased the protein expression of fibrotic marker genes but slightly decreased the observed histomorphological changes.
Conclusions:
We established an ANE-induced OSMF mouse model, which also provided a model for the development of a therapeutic treatment for OSMF. The anti-fibrotic effects of PBM and forskolin may be useful for clinical interventions.
Insights
Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy effectively treats areca nut extract-induced oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) in mice. PBM reduced fibrosis and key fibrotic markers, showing potential for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Biomedical engineering
- Fibrosis research
Background:
- Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, potentially malignant oral disorder with uncertain therapeutic outcomes.
- Previous research indicated photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy and forskolin modulate arecoline-induced fibrosis via the cAMP pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- Establish an animal model for areca nut extract (ANE)-induced OSMF.
- Evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of PBM and forskolin in this ANE-induced OSMF model.
Main Methods:
- An ANE-induced OSMF mouse model was developed.
- Mice were divided into five experimental groups.
- Buccal tissues underwent histomorphological analysis and immunoblotting.
Main Results:
- PBM therapy significantly inhibited ANE-induced OSMF, reducing submucosal thickness and collagen deposition.
- PBM therapy decreased protein expression of fibrotic markers alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).
- Forskolin treatment reduced fibrotic marker gene expression but had minimal impact on histomorphological changes.
Conclusions:
- An effective ANE-induced OSMF mouse model was established for therapeutic development.
- PBM therapy demonstrates significant anti-fibrotic effects in the ANE-induced OSMF model.
- Both PBM and forskolin show potential for clinical intervention in treating OSMF.
