Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of hydroethanolic extract of Spondias mombin leaf in an oral mucositis experimental model

Abstract

Background: Spondias mombin has been used in folk medicine to treat inflammation in the oral cavity. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of S. mombin extract in an oral mucositis experimental model.

Methods: Male hamsters were orally pre-treated with hydroethanolic extract of S. mombin leaves (HESM) (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) for ten days. Cheek pouch samples were subjected to macroscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis (Cox-2, iNOS, NF-kB p50 NLS and MMP-2). IL-1β and TNF-α levels were analyzed by ELISA immunoassay, and Superoxide dismutase estimative (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were submitted to spectroscopy analysis.

Results: The group treated with HESM at a dose of 200 mg/kg showed the best healing effect, showing no evidence of ulceration in the macroscopic analysis (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis showed re-epithelialization, discrete mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate and absence of hemorrhage and edema score of 1 (1-1) (p < 0.05), as well as a large amount of collagen fibers and a lower immunoexpression of Cox-2, iNOS, NF-kB p50 NLS and MMP-2. Decrease in SOD (p < 0.05), MDA (p<0.001), IL-1β (p < 0.05), and TNF-α levels (p < 0.001), with an increase in GSH (p < 0.01) levels.

Conclusion: HESM (200 mg/kg) reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters.

Keywords: 5-Fluorouracil; Inflammation; Oral mucositis; Oxidative stress; Spondias mombin.