Glycosaminoglycans and collagen in Stichopus hermanii have been shown to support the wound-healing process, and Indonesia is the largest producer of this species. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Stichopus hermanii extract gel as a novel natural, cost-effective, and potentially more effective wound healing agent. This study employed a laboratory experimental design with a post-test-only control group to evaluate the effects of Stichopus hermanii extract on IL-6 and IL-10 expression in oral ulcers of Rattus norvegicus. The experimental groups included a positive control group (Kenalog in Orabase), negative control group (carboxymethyl cellulose, or CMC), and treatment groups which were administered Stichopus hermanii extract gel at concentrations of 80%, 40%, and 20%. Treatments were applied twice daily for 10 days following ulcer would incision in rats. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) following the manufacturer’s instruction. The results demonstrated that Stichopus hermanii extract at 80% concentration produced the greatest reduction in IL-6 and the highest increase in IL-10 expression levels, suggesting its efficacy in enhancing the wound healing process of oral ulcers. This findings therefore revealed the potential of Stichopus hermanii extract as an alternative therapy for oral inflammation.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a major global health burden, with high recurrence and therapeutic resistance. α-Tocopherol, the most active form of vitamin E and a potent antioxidant, occurs in Stichopus hermanii together with other bioactive compounds. These natural agents have been proposed as adjunctive strategies with dual antioxidant and anticancer potentials. Objective: To map evidence of the antioxidant and anticancer activities of α-tocopherol, either as an isolated compound or within S. hermanii extracts, against molecular targets in OSCC. Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches in PMC, PubMed, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar (until July 2025) identified English- or Indonesian-language Scopus-indexed full-text studies. Eligible reports included original in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations of α-tocopherol and S. hermanii in OSCC models. Data on the design, interventions, molecular targets, and outcomes were charted and narratively synthesized. Results: Five studies were included (three in vitro, one in vivo, and one clinical study). In vitro, α-tocopherol decreased OSCC cell viability and induced apoptosis via caspase activation, Bax upregulation, and Bcl-2 suppression, with synergistic effects observed with combination therapy. In vivo, α-tocopherol upregulated PPARγ and inhibited PI3K/Akt signalling, whereas S. hermanii extract reduced oxidative stress. Clinically, supplementation during radiotherapy improves the oxidative balance. Common molecular targets include apoptotic regulators and oxidative stress markers; however, OSCC-specific oncogenic pathways remain unexplored. Conclusion: α-Tocopherol exhibits antioxidant and pro-apoptotic effects in OSCC, indicating its potential as an adjunct therapy. However, the evidence is limited and heterogeneous, necessitating standardized interventions and clinical trials to confirm these findings.

Gingival wound healing involves tightly regulated inflammatory and regenerative re-sponses. Marine-derived (6Z)-Octadecenoic acid, isolated from Stichopus hermanii, is a promising candidate for topical wound therapy due to its dual anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative properties. This study combined in silico molecular docking with in vivo evaluation to assess its therapeutic potential. Docking analysis revealed strong binding affinities between (6Z)-Octadecenoic acid and TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-1β, and JAK1. In vivo, gingival wounds were induced in male Wistar rats and treated topically. His-tological assessments on Days 3 and 7 showed significantly increased fibroblast density and collagen deposition in the treated group. ADME-Tox predictions indicated high absorption and no hepatotoxicity, supported by stable SGOT and SGPT levels. Statisti-cal analysis confirmed significant improvements in fibroblast proliferation and colla-genization (p < 0.05), with no hepatic enzyme elevation. These findings suggest that (6Z)-Octadecenoic acid enhances early wound healing by modulating inflammation and stimulating tissue remodeling, supporting its potential use in periodontal regener-ative applications.