Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of hydroethanolic extract of Spondias mombin leaf in an oral mucositis experimental model
5-fluorouracil, Oral mucositis, Spondias mombin, oxidative stress, inflammation.
Mucositis Oral (MO) is characterized as an extremely painful condition, because it presents clinically erythematous and ulcerated lesions. It is the most frequent oral complication in patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, and its treatment aims at relieving painful symptoms and inducing the healing process of the lesion. Spondias mombin L. is a widely used plant in northeastern Brazil and its leaves are used in folk medicine in the treatment of inflammations in the mouth and throat, Aim: To evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of this extract in an oral mucositis experimental model. Methods: Male hamsters were pre-treated with oral hydroethanolic extract of Spondias mombin leaves (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) for ten days. Cheek pouch samples were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical (Cox-2, iNOS, NF-kB p50, NF-kB p50 NLS and MMP-2) analysis. IL-1β and TNF-α levels were verified by Elisa immunoassay, Superoxide dismutase estimative (SOD), gluthatione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were investigated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy analysis. Results: The group treated with hydroethanolic extract of Spondias mombin leaves at a dose of 200 mg/kg showed the best healing effect, as there was no evidence of erosion or ulceration with a macroscopical score of 1 (1-2) (p<0.01). Histopathological analysis for the group treated with Spondias mombin leaves at a dose of 200mg/kg showed re-epithelialization, discrete mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate and absence of hemorrhage, edema, ulcers and abscesses with a score of 1 (1-1), (p<0.05). Treatment with crude hydroethanolic extract of Spondias mombin leaves at a dose of 200 mg/kg resulted in low immunostaining to Cox-2, iNOS, NF-kB p50, NF-kB p50 NLS and MMP-2 (p<0.05).