Experimental investigation of the effect of berberine use on oral wound healing

Aim: The aim of our study was to investigate the histopathological and biochemical effects of berberine use on wound healing in the oral mucosa in rats. Material and Method: Our study was conducted on 42 male adult Wistar Albino rats aged 4-6 months and weighing between 350-400 grams. The rats within the scope of the study were randomly divided into two main groups: control and experimental groups. These groups were divided into 3 subgroups to be sacrificed on the 3rd, 7th and 14th days. A full-thickness excisional wound defect was created in the palatinal region of the upper jaw of the rats in the experimental and control groups with a trepan drill with a diameter of 5 mm behind the ruga folds. Berberine was administered to the rats in the experimental group at a rate of 100 mg/kg/day by oral gavage method. Rats in the control group were administered a placebo sterile saline solution. IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and NF-κB levels were measured by ELISA method in serum samples of rats whose intracardiac blood was drawn. Wound sites dissected from surrounding tissues were examined histopathologically for ulceration, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear cells, necrosis, vascularization, fibroblast count and edema. Result: As a result of the statistical analysis, there was no significant difference between the groups in serum IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and NF-κB levels. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in polymorphonuclear leukocyte, necrosis, vascularization and fibroblast levels examined histopathologically on all working days. Ulceration was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group on days 3 and 7. Mononuclear cell was significantly lower in the experimental group on the 3rd day and edema on the 7th day than in the control group. Conclusion: Our study shows that berberine has positive effects on wound healing on the oral mucosa. More experimental and clinical studies are needed to bring berberine into clinical use in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery practice.