Introduction: Kaempferia galanga L. (K. galanga; local name kencur, Zingiberaceae) is a plant commonly used as a kitchen spice, and empirically it is often used for medicinal purposes. This plant has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory role, but no research has been found on its effect on oral mucosal ulcer. This study aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory activity and wound healing effect of the ethanol extract of K. galanga L. rhizome (EEKG) on the chemical-induced oral mucosal ulcer in Wistar rats. Methods: In this study, 35 rats were divided into 7 groups (normal, negative, triamcinolone acetonide, and 4 EEKG groups). Acetic acid 70% was used as the oral mucosal ulcer inducer. Parameters observed were macroscopic and microscopic histopathological examinations. Results: The results revealed that dose of 0.5% of the EEKG was effective in increasing the percent recovery of ulcer area and inflammation sign scores. Meanwhile, doses of 0.5– 2% of EEKG were effective in reducing the histopathological score. Interestingly, topical EEKG in our study was more effective compared with triamcinolone acetonide (the conventional therapy for oral mucosal ulceration). Discussion: The EEKG has been confirmed its anti-inflammatory activity by accelerating the healing process on the chemical-induced oral mucosal ulcer in Wistar rats, based on the percent recovery of the ulcer area, the percent recovery of the inflammation sign score, and the histopathology score. Conclusion: Taken together, K. galanga L. is very potential to be developed as a prospective phytopharmaceutical for the treatment of oral mucosal ulceration in human after clinical trials.

Background: Infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza virus is still a major worldwide health concern. Plants are a good source of bioactive compounds to be used as preventive measures for both inhibiting the virus binding and enhancing mucosal innate immunity. Curcumin has been shown to possess antiviral activity and modulate innate immunity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop an oro-nasal film spray containing curcumin and determine its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus infection, as well as its effects on mucosal innate immunity and inflammatory cytokines in vitro. Methods: The antiviral activity of the film spray against SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and influenza B was assessed in vitro by plaque reduction assay. Cytotoxicity of the film spray to oral keratinocytes and nasal epithelial cells was assessed by MTT assay, and cytotoxicity to Vero and MDCK cells was assessed by an MTS-based cytotoxicity assay. Oral and nasal innate immune markers in response to the film spray were determined by ELISA and by a commercial Milliplex Map Kit, respectively. Results: Our data show that the film spray containing curcumin can inhibit both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus infections while maintaining cell viability. Results obtained among 4 viruses revealed that curcumin film spray demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 with the lowest EC₅₀ of 3.15 µg/ml and the highest SI value of 4.62, followed by influenza B (EC₅₀ = 6.32 µg/ml, SI = 2.04), influenza A/H1N1 (EC₅₀ = 7.24 µg/ml, SI = 1.78), and influenza A/H3N2 (EC₅₀ > 12.5 µg/ml, SI < 1.03), respectively. Antimicrobial peptides LL-37 and HD-5, IL-6 and TNF-α produced by oral keratinocytes were significantly induced by the film spray, while hBD2 was significantly reduced. Conclusion: Film spray containing curcumin possesses multiple actions against SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting ACE-2 binding in target cells and enhancing mucosal innate immunity. The film spray can also inhibit influenza virus infection. Therefore, the curcumin film spray may be effective in preventing the viral infection of both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza.

Background: Oral cancer is often preceded by a mucosal lesion called an oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD). Many plant-derived compounds are of value in medicine. The objectives of this study were to develop a soluble mucoadhesive film containing α-mangostin (α-MG), a compound extracted from the peel of mangosteen fruit, and determine its activities against oral cancer cells, against human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) pseudovirus, and its anti-inflammatory properties.Methods: A soluble mucoadhesive film containing α-MG was prepared. Oral squamous carcinoma cell line (SCC25), murine macrophage cells (RAW264.7), and human gingival fibroblast cell line were cultured. Anticancer activity and viability of SCC25 cells in response to α-MG film solution were determined by MTT assay. HPV-16 pseudovirus was constructed and effects of the film solution on attachment and post-attachment steps of the infection were investigated. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by nitric oxide (NO) inhibition. Fibroblast cell migration was determined by in vitro scratch assay.Results: The soluble α-MG film showed cytotoxic effects on SCC25 cells in concentration > 125 µg/ml with IC₅₀of 152.5 µg/ml. Antiviral activity against HPV-16 pseudovirus was observed at attachment step, but not at post-attachment step. The film also possessed a strong anti-inflammatory effect and promoted wound healing without cytotoxicity.Conclusions: Mucoadhesive film containing α-MG has a cytotoxic effect on oral squamous carcinoma cell line and an inhibitory effect on HPV-16 pseudovirus at attachment step. The α-MG film also shows a potent anti-inflammatory activity and enhances wound healing. Thus, the soluble α-MG film may have a potential role in treating oral cancer.

Objectives: Plant-derived compounds are a major source of medicinal agents. Common oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and candidiasis, are caused by biofilms. The nature of biofilm formations is complex, emphasizing the importance of finding novel products that possess bioactivity against microbes associated with those oral infections. The aims of this study were to determine the antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm formation of α-mangostin (α-MG) soluble film. Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial assays against Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Candida albicans were performed by identifying the minimal growth inhibition concentration and the minimal bactericidal concentration. Time-killing kinetic studies against the organisms and inhibition of biofilm formation were determined by the broth microdilution method. Human gingival fibroblast cell line and macrophage RAW267.4 cells were cultured, and the cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay. The anti-inflammatory effect of the α-MG film was investigated by measuring the inhibition of nitric oxide production. Results: The α-MG film demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the oral pathogens tested. The formulation reduced microbial growth about 1–3 Log CFU/mL at 2–4 h and complete killing at 24 h. No significant difference in inhibiting the biofilm formation of those three microorganisms was noted. In addition, the film containing α-MG demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of nitric oxide production in a dose-dependent manner. The formulation was safe and showed no cytotoxicity at therapeutic dose. Conclusions: The α-MG film is effective against S. mutans, P. gingivalis, and C. albicans without significant cytotoxicity in vitro. Thus, this new product may have potential advantage in preventing those common oral infections.