Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Effects of Tarantula cubensis Extract on Mucosal Healing in Rats

Oral mucosal lesions are a common pathology that impact the quality of life due to pain, inappetence, weight loss, and low productivity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Tarantula cubensis extract on wound healing in rats with buccal mucosal lesions. A total of 40 male Wistar albino rats weighing 250-300 g were used in the study. The rats were divided into four equal groups. A 3 mm diameter mucosal defect was created in the buccal mucosa of each rat. Groups one and three (controls) assessed spontaneous healing at 3 and 6 days post trauma, respectively. Groups two and four (treatment) received 0.2 ml T. cubensis extract subcutaneously. Group two was treated for 2 days and assessed at 3 days and group four was treated for 5 days and assessed at 6 days. All rats were euthanatized prior to tissue sample collection. Tissue samples were compared between control and treatment groups using histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Tissue samples taken from the defect areas were immunohistochemically evaluated for cytokeratin and collagen expressions. In both the 3 and 6 day treatment groups, the improvements were statistically different compared to the control groups. T. cubensis extract was found to increase cytokeratin and collagen in both epithelial and connective tissue and to have a significant healing effect on mucosa on both gross and microscopic findings.