Wound Healing of Mouth Ulcers using Papain Gel

Papain is a high active proteolytic enzyme with bactericidal, bacteriostatic and anti-inflammatory property. Thus, healing process is accelerated, diminishing lesion recovery period in patients using the enzyme. However, the use of papain in mouth ulcers has not been described.Objective:The purpose of the present study was to evaluate in vivo the anti-inflammatory and reparative action of papain topical gel in the healing of mouth ulcers.Methods:The traumatic ulcers were done in tongue of Wistar rats using the 3mm diameter circular scalpel. The animals were divided into 2 groups: GI – control without medication; GII – treated with papain gel.They received daily medication twice a day.Five (5) rats of each group were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 14th day. Tissue sections stained with haematoxylin–eosin were analyzed. The histological evaluation was submitted to a score according to the healing degree with range from 1 (total repair of the epithelium and connective tissue) to 5 (epithelium ulcer and acute inflammatory infiltrate) and it was analyzed by using the Kruskal-Wallis method. Results: Results demonstrated that papain topical gel accelerated inflammatory process when compared to the control group.

Conclusion: papain topical gel may be an alternative treatment for mouth ulcers.