TOPICAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT OF EUCALYPTUS EXTRACT VERSUS JOJOBA GEL ON 5-FLUOROURACIL INDUCED ORAL MUCOSITIS IN HAMSTER

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the topical anti-inflammatory effect of eucalyptus extract gel compared with jojoba gel on 5-fluorouracil-induced OM in hamsters. Materials and Methods: Sixty male hamsters were divided into two main groups. Group A (n = 15) served as a negative control and did not receive OM induction or treatment. Group B (n = 45) underwent OM induction with two intraperitoneal injections of 5-FU (60 mg/kg) followed by superficial scratching of the left cheek pouch. On day 5, Group B was subdivided into three subgroups (n = 15 each): BΙ (positive control, untreated), BΙΙ (treated daily with JJ gel), and BΙΙΙ (treated daily with 2% EC extract gel). Five animals per subgroup were euthanized on days 5, 9, and 14. Macroscopic, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Results: Macroscopic and histological evaluations revealed significant differences in re-epithelization and collagen deposition among groups. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that EC gel treatment significantly decreased interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) expression and increased transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) expression compared with JJ gel. Conclusions: Eucalyptus gel demonstrated superior promotion of ulcer re-epithelization and accelerated healing compared with jojoba gel in the 5-fluorouracil induced oral mucositis model.