Healing with Love: Oxytocin Accelerates Oral Ulcer Recovery by Reducing Inflammation

Abstract

Background: Oral ulcerative mucositis (OUM) is a painful, inflammatory mucosa lesion that impairs quality of life. Despite available treatments, effective agents that promote faster healing and modulate inflammation are still needed. Oxytocin (OT), a neuropeptide with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, may aid wound healing by regulating the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). This study investigates the effects of OT on oral ulcer healing in rats, focusing on its modulation of the MMP-2/TIMP-2 pathway. Methods: Acetic acid 70% was used as the oral mucosal ulcer inducer. Thirty-six Wistar albino rats were divided into control, oral ulcer + saline, and oral ulcer + OT (intraperitoneally for 15 days) groups. Histopathological, biochemical, and molecular analyses were performed. Buccal mucosa tissue was examined for TNF-α, TIMP-2, and MMP-2 levels via ELISA, while oxidative stress markers and pentraxin-3 (PTX3) were also assessed. Results: OT significantly preserved epithelial integrity and reduced fibrosis compared to the saline group (p < 0.001). TNF-α, MMP-2, PTX3, and malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower, while TIMP-2 levels were elevated in the OT-treated group (p < 0.01). Histopathological analysis confirmed reduced inflammation and enhanced tissue organization. Conclusions: OT accelerates oral ulcer healing by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and ECM remodeling via the MMP-2/TIMP-2 pathway. These findings highlight its potential as a therapeutic agent for managing mucosal injuries. Further clinical studies are warranted.

Keywords: MMP-2/TIMP-2 pathway; inflammation; oral ulcerative mucositis; oxidative stress; oxytocin.

Figure 1

Histopathological findings × 20 and 40 magnification, hematoxylin, and eosine stain. (A,B) Normal control group buccal mucosa, normal epithelium (line); (C,D) oral ulcer and % 0.9 NaCl given group buccal mucosa, disrupted epithelium (arrow), and fibrosis (f); (E,F) oral ulcer and OT given group buccal mucosa, healed epithelium (line), and connective tissue (ct).