Efficacy of 10% Calendula officinalis extract gel for oral wound healing in rats

Abstract

This study assessed the efficacy of 10% Calendula officinalis (C. officinalis) extract gel for oral wound healing in rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomized into test and control groups (n=16). The rats were anesthetized to create a wound in their buccal mucosa by a #3 puncher. Next, 10% C. officinalis gel and a placebo gel were applied over the wounds in the test and control groups, respectively. Each group was randomly divided into two subgroups for assessment at 7 and 14 days (duration of treatment). At each time point, a biopsy sample was obtained from the wound and type of inflammatory cells, severity of inflammation, type of connective tissue, and percentage of wound contraction were assessed by a pathologist. Data were analyzed by univariate ANOVA and Chi-square test. The mean percentage of wound contraction was 28.28% and 62.58% in the test and -15.98% and 7.08% in the control group at 7 and 14 days, respectively, indicating significantly greater wound contraction in the test group at both time points (p<0.001). The type of connective tissue was significantly different between the two groups at 14 days (p<0.05). The number of giant cells was significantly higher in the test group than the control group at 7 days (p<0.05). No other significant differences were noted. Application of 10% C. officinalis gel improved wound contraction and enhanced healing but had no significant effect on the severity of inflammation in traumatic oral ulcers in rats.