Comparison of oral ulcer healing using gentian violet and corticosteroids

Ulcers are lesions characterized by damaging the surface epithelium and by exposing subjacent conjunctive tissue. The most common drugs used to treat mouth ulcers are corticosteroids, and using them for long periods may cause adrenal gland suppression. Gentian violet is a topical bactericide, fungicide, and siccative phytotherapeutic agent. Objectives: To evaluate histological and clinical behavior of the cicatrizing action of gentian violet ointment and to compare it to the action of corticosteroids, in the treatment of mouth ulcers. Methods: One hundred traumatic ulcers were created in the dorsal surface of the tongue of Wistar rats. The rats were divided into 4 groups: GI – control without medication; GII – gentian violet; GIII - triamcinolone acetonide; GIV – clobetasol propionate. Five rats were sacrificed after 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days. The rate of reepithelization was clinically evaluated. Histological evaluation was tabulated by the Kruskal-Wallis method and according to the level of cicatrization, which ranged from 1 (total healing) to 5 (ulcer and acute inflammatory process). Results: Clinical evaluation presented advanced healing after the 5th day in group GII, after the 7th day in group GI, and only at the 14th day in groups GIII and GIV. Histologically, GIII and GIV presented microabscess, superficial microbial infection, and a delay in wound healing. Conclusion: gentian violet has a healing action in traumatic ulcers and corticoids retard the healing process and promote local infection.