Effects of Chamomilla recutita (L.) on oral wound healing in rats

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Chamomilla recutita on the healing of ulcers in rats.

Study design: A 5-mm wound was inflicted on the tongue of 36 rats. Treatment group animals were treated topically with 0.04 mL/day of chamomile ointment, whereas control group animals were not treated. Animals were sacrificed after 3, 7 or 10 days. Semi-quantitative analysis of the degree of inflammation, fibroblast count and wound size was performed, as well as histometric analysis of re-epithelialization and percentage of collagen fibers of the lesion.

Results: Animals treated with chamomile showed the best results regarding epithelialization and percentage of collagen fibers after 10 days. As expected, time had a statistically significant effect (p < 0.05) on fibroblast count, epithelialization, inflammation and wound size; animals sacrificed at 3 days showed the worst results.

Conclusions: Chamomile stimulated re-epithelialization and the formation of collagen fibers after 10 days of treatment; it did not, however, influence inflammation or fibroblast count.