To investigate the effect of matrine bioadhesive gel for oral ulcer in rabbits.

A total of 36 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: model group, blank gel group and matrine gel group, 12 rabbits in each group. The chemical burning method with acetic acid was used to establish the oral ulcer model. Rabbits in the blank gel group and matrine gel group were given blank gel and matrine gel on oral ulcer, respectively, and rabbits in the model group only received saline flush on oral ulcer after model established. The ulcer area was calculated on 2, 4, 9, 12 d after treatment, then all the rabbits were sacrificed respectively. The oral mucosa was taken to pathological observation and pathological score at the same time.

The ulcer area in the matrine gel group were much smaller than those in the model group and blank gel group on 4 d after treatment [(0.15 ± 0.02), (0.28 ± 0.03), (0.25 ± 0.01) cm², F = 31.821, P < 0.05], and the ulcer area among the three groups showed no significant differences on 2, 9, 12 d after treatment (F = 4.856, 3.321, 3.233, all P > 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed that inflammatory cell infiltration, and with hemorrhage and necrosis in the model group and blank gel group, and inflammatory cell infiltration a very mild and fibroblasts appeared in the matrine gel group on 4 d after treatment; On 12 d after treatment, the inflammation had improved markedly among the three group, and the mucosa in the matrine gel group recovery much better. Meanwhile, the pathological scores in the matrine gel group on 4, 9 d after treatment were much better than those in the model group and blank gel group [(3.00 ± 0.00), (2.00 ± 0.00), (2.33 ± 0.47), F = 13.525, P < 0.05; (4.33 ± 0.94), (2.67 ± 0.47), (3.33 ± 0.47), F = 6.251, P < 0.05].

Matrine bioadhesive gel can improve the recovery of oral ulcers in rabbits.