Background: Aloe Vera (AV), a tropical plant has been used for wound healing. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are also considered one of the most promising nanomaterials in wound healing.
Objectives: To compare between the possible healing effect of application of AV and AgNPs on chemically-induced labial mucosal ulcer in Albino rats at different durations.
Material and methods: After chemical induction of ulcer on labial mucosa, forty-two adult male Albino rats were divided equally into three main groups: Group I (untreated ulcerated): rats didn't receive any treatment. Group II (AV gel): rats received topical application of AV gel (0.25ml/kg) once daily. Group III (AgNPs gel): rats received topical application of AgNPs gel (2mg/kg) once daily. Each group was divided into two subgroups named A and B according to time of sacrification at three and nine days respectively. Labial mucosae were dissected and examined histologically and immunohistochemically for cell proliferation.
Results: Histologically, subgroup IA, IB and IIA showed epithelial degeneration, while subgroup IIB and IIIA showed continuous epithelial lining. Complete epithelial regeneration was seen in subgroup IIIB. Immunohistochemically and statistically, subgroup IIIA showed higher mean area fraction (AF%) of anti-PCNA immunopositivity in epithelium and lamina propria than subgroup IA. The highest mean AF % was shown in subgroup IIIB when compared to subgroup IB and IIB.
Conclusions: Both AV and AgNPs groups showed healing effects after ulcer induction on labial mucosa through enhanced re-epithelialization and their anti-inflammatory effect. However, AgNPs group showed better healing effect than AV group.