Oral mucositis (OM) is characterized by the presence of severe ulcers in the oral region that affects patients treated with chemotherapy. It occurs in almost all patients who receive radiotherapy of the head and neck, as well as patients who undergo hematopoietic cell transplantation. The pathophysiology of OM is complex, and there is no effective therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone-loaded poly(d,l-Lactic-co-glycolic) nanoparticles (PLGA-DEX NPs) on an OM model induced in hamsters. The NPs were synthesized using the emulsification-solvent evaporation method and were characterized by the size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, atomic force microscopy, physicochemical stability, and the in vitro release. The OM was induced by the administration of 5-FU on the first and second days and mechanical trauma on the 4th day of the experiment. PLGA-DEX NPs were administered to treat OM. The animals were euthanized on the 10th day. Macroscopic and histopathological analyses were performed, measurement of malonaldehyde (MDA) and ELISA was used to determine the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Immunoexpressions of NF-κB, COX-2, and TGF-β were determined by immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR was used to quantify the gene expression of the GILZ, MKP1, and NF-κB p65. The PLGA-DEX NPs (0.1 mg/kg) significantly reduced macroscopic and histopathological scores, decreased MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β levels, immunostaining for NF-κB, COX-2, TGF-β, and suppressed NF-κB p65 mRNA expression, but increased GILZ and MKP1 expression.

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a severe inflammation of the oral mucosal cells associated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy-induced toxicity, resulting in epithelial ulcers and higher risk of death from sepsis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nanoparticle (AuNp) effect on OM induced in hamsters. Materials and methods: 5-fluorouracil (5FU) was used on the first and second day of the experimental model in Golden sirian hamsters, and on the fourth day, mechanical trauma was applied to induce OM. The animals were divided into groups, i.e., polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), mechanical trauma (MT), 5FU, and groups treated with gold nanoparticles (AuNps) (62.5, 125, and 250 μg/kg). On the 10th day, animals were euthanized for macroscopic, histopathological, immunohistochemical, western blot, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and AuNp quantification. Results: AuNp (250 μg/kg) reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, COX-2, NF-κB, TGF-β, and SMAD 2/3; increased glutathione levels; decreased the expression of Kelch ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1); and induced heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX-1) and NAD (P) H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) genes. Conclusions: AuNp (250 μg/kg) prevented 5-FU-induced OM in hamsters and improved the parameters of inflammation and oxidative stress.

O uso de plantas medicinais foi implantado no Sistema Único de Saúde, por meio da Política Nacional de Práticas Integrativas e Complementares. A fitoterapia tem ganhado espaço no meio odontológico por apresentar produtos naturais com maior atividade terapêutica, menor toxicidade e melhor biocompatibilidade cientificamente comprovadas, além de revelar custos mais acessíveis ao público. O objetivo desse estudo foi revisar e sintetizar as informações da literatura científica sobre as plantas medicinais que são mais utilizadas para os problemas da cavidade bucal, de forma a contribuir e promover o uso dessa terapia pelos cirurgiões-dentistas. O presente trabalho foi realizado através da revisão de literatura especializada por abordagem indutiva, por meio de técnica de documentação bibliográfica. Os fitoterápicos são capazes de contribuir para a prevenção, controle e tratamento de várias doenças bucais, podendo ser usados concomitantes a medicamentos tradicionais (alopáticos) ou não. No entanto, é importante que o profissional conheça a ação farmacológica desses compostos fitoterápicos, bem como os seus efeitos colaterais, interações medicamentosas e as contraindicações.

To evaluate the long-chain fatty acid and major compounds levels in the feces after prophylactic oral use of Lacticaseibacillus casei in an experimental model of intestinal mucositis.