Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of hydroethanolic extract of Spondias mombin leaf in an oral mucositis experimental model.

Spondias mombin has been used in folk medicine to treat inflammation in the oral cavity. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of S. mombin extract in an oral mucositis experimental model. Male hamsters were orally pre-treated with hydroethanolic extract of S. mombin leaves (HESM) (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) for ten days. Cheek pouch samples were subjected to macroscopic, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis (Cox-2, iNOS, NF-kB p50 NLS and MMP-2). IL-1β and TNF-α levels were analyzed by ELISA immunoassay, and Superoxide dismutase estimative (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were submitted to spectroscopy analysis. The group treated with HESM at a dose of 200 mg/kg showed the best healing effect, showing no evidence of ulceration in the macroscopic analysis (p < 0.05). Histopathological analysis showed re-epithelialization, discrete mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate and absence of hemorrhage and edema score of 1 (1-1) (p < 0.05), as well as a large amount of collagen fibers and a lower immunoexpression of Cox-2, iNOS, NF-kB p50 NLS and MMP-2. Decrease in SOD (p < 0.05), MDA (p<0.001), IL-1β (p < 0.05), and TNF-α levels (p < 0.001), with an increase in GSH (p < 0.01) levels. HESM (200 mg/kg) reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in the 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters.