The effect of Hypericum Perforatum on wound healing of oral mucosa in diabetic rats.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the histopathological and biochemical effects of the topical application of Hypericum perforatum on the healing of surgical wounds created in the oral mucosa of rats with experimentally induced diabetes mellitus.

Materials and methods: The study was carried out on 48 adult male Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into two main groups as control and study groups. Two main groups were divided into three subgroups according to the sacrification days. All rats were given streptozotocin 60 mg/kg, after 72 hours, and those having blood glucose levels above 200 mg/dL were included in the study. Mucosal defects were created in the palatal area of the rats. H. perforatum oil was applied topically twice a day to the wounds of the rats in the study group. Animal were sacrificed on the 3rd , 7th and 10th days and samples taken from the palatal wounds were examined histologically and biochemically.

Results: On the 7th day, ulceration, necrosis, epithelialization, polymorphonuclear leucocytes and hydroxyproline variables showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Ulceration, necrosis and polymorphonuclear leukocytes values were higher in the control group, whereas epithelialization and hydroxyproline values were found to be higher in the H. perforatum group. Among 10th -day groups, there was only a statistically significant difference between the values of hydroxyproline, whereas H. perforatum -treated group showed high hydroxyproline levels (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Topically applied H. perforatum did not create any difference on the 3rd day, but it has positively affected the wound healing on the 7th and 10th days in diabetic rats.