Histopathological and immunohistochemical investigation of the effects of tarantula cubensis extract on amelioration in experimental stomatitis model

Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Investigation of the Effects of Tarantula cubensis Extract on Amelioration in Experimental Stomatitis Model Oral mucosal lesions are frequently occured in both humans and animals and significantly impair the quality of life. Inability to eat food due to pain causes weight loss and low productivity. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of Tarantula cubensis extract on wound healing histopathologically and immunohistochemically in stomatitis caused by buccal mucosal lesions created experimentally in rats. In the study, a total of 40 male Wistar albino rats weighing 250-300 grams were used and the rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each. The first part of the study was completed in 3 days and the second part in 6 days. Group 1 (3-day control group) created a mucosal defect with a diameter of 3mm and was allowed to heal spontaneously. After 3 days rats euthanatized and tissue samples were collected from the lesioned areas. Group 2 (6-day control group) a 3mm diameter mucosal defect was created and left to heal spontaneously. After 6 days, rats euthanatized and tissue samples were collected from the lesioned areas. Group 3 (3-day treatment group) a 3mm diameter mucosal defect created and strarting on the same day, 0.2 ml of Tarantula cubensis extract was given subcutaneously for 2 days and tissue samples were collected by euthanasia after 3 days. Group 4 (6-day treatment group) a 3mm diameter mucosal defect created and starting on the same day, 0.2 ml of Tarantula cubensis extract was given for 5 days, 6 days later rats euthanatized and tissue samples were collected. During necropsy, the improvements in both 3-day and 6-day groups were significantly improved in the groups given Tarantula cubensis extract compared to the control groups. Tissue samples collected from the wound areas on the 3rd and 6th days were examined histopathologically for connective tissue and epithelial tissue healing. The samples were evaluated immunohistochemically for cytokeratin and collagen expressions. It was observed that Tarantula cubensis extract caused a significant increase in expression in both epithelial and connective tissue. According to both gross and microscopic findings, Tarantula cubensis extract was found to have a significant healing effect on mouth sores. *This study was supported by scientific Projects Commission of University of Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy (Project number: 0641-YL-20). Key words: Healing, Pathology, Rat, Stomatitis, Tarantula cubensis.