Background: The investigation of herbal remedies for tongue ulcers was deemed to be a worthwhile area of study. Consequently, the objective of this research endeavor was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of propolis and nutmeg oil in the management of chemically induced ulcer of the tongue papillae.
Materials and Methods Chemical induction of oral ulceration via dorsal surface of the tongue application of a cotton swab saturated in full strength form cresol (2 mm from the tip). Morphologically and histologically, the epithelium and lamina propria structural alterations were evaluated using SEM and H&E, respectively. Control group (Group 1, n=10) of animals. Ulcer group (Group 2, n=14). Treatment of Group 3 (n=14) with propolis. Group four was administered nutmeg oil. The first subgroup was authenticated after seven days, and the second was at fourteen days.
Results: In the Propolis group, the average number of inflammatory cells was greater in the one-week group (P>0.001) than in the two-week group (P>0.001). The nutmeg group exhibited a significantly higher mean inflammatory cell count after one week in comparison to the group that exhibited the same value after two weeks (P>0.001). In the Propolis-treated group, a scanning electron micrograph revealed the initiation of ulcer healing, accompanied by conical filiform papillae featuring pointed ends and a rugged surface.
Conclusion: The propolis used in this study was found to be more effective as compared to nutmeg oil group, the presently preferred drug, used for promoting healing of oral ulcers.