Research Article

Experimental assessment of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan gel in a rat gingival defect model: local and systemic tolerance with histological findings

Volume: 7 Number: 2 March 27, 2026

Experimental assessment of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan gel in a rat gingival defect model: local and systemic tolerance with histological findings

Abstract

Aims: The local and systemic effects of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCht-E) gel formulation were evaluated in an experimental rat gingival defect model. Methods: Twenty-one male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, including a sham group, a CMCht gel group, and a CMCht-E gel group, with seven animals in each group. Standardized gingival defects measuring 3 mm in diameter were surgically created in the mandibular incisor region. Sham defects were irrigated with normal saline only, whereas experimental defects were treated with CMCht or CMCht-E gel. Local tissue responses were evaluated by macroscopic and histological analyses, and systemic effects were assessed using hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Results: Histological analysis revealed a significant intergroup difference in epithelial thickness (p<0.001) and inflammatory cell infiltration (p=0.024). Neutrophil-rich inflammatory infiltrates were predominantly observed in the CMCht group, whereas no inflammatory cells were detected in the CMCht-E group. No significant intergroup differences were found in fibroblast density, vascularization, or collagen fiber distribution (p>0.05). Hematological and biochemical parameters showed no significant intergroup differences (p>0.05). Conclusion: The elderberry-enriched CMCht gel showed favorable histological healing without inflammatory infiltration or systemic adverse effects, supporting its potential as a locally well-tolerated topical biomaterial with anti-inflammatory properties for gingival wound applications.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Dokuz Eylul University

Project Number

The Research Fund of Dokuz Eylul University supported this research (Project Number: 4155, Izmir, Türkiye).

Ethical Statement

The study protocol was approved by the Dokuz Eylul University Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee (approval number: 34/2025).

Thanks

We thank Dr. Serdar Karakullukçu, M.D., for his assistance with statistical analysis and valuable comments.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Periodontics

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 27, 2026

Submission Date

January 19, 2026

Acceptance Date

February 28, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 7 Number: 2

APA
Uzun Saylan, B. C., Yılmaz, O., Ziylan, A., Aktaş, S., Baysan, G., Gökbayrak, Ö. E., Çolpankan Güneş, O., & Havıtçıoğlu, H. (2026). Experimental assessment of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan gel in a rat gingival defect model: local and systemic tolerance with histological findings. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, 7(2), 297-306. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1867014
AMA
1.Uzun Saylan BC, Yılmaz O, Ziylan A, et al. Experimental assessment of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan gel in a rat gingival defect model: local and systemic tolerance with histological findings. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7(2):297-306. doi:10.47582/jompac.1867014
Chicago
Uzun Saylan, Bilge Cansu, Osman Yılmaz, Aylin Ziylan, et al. 2026. “Experimental Assessment of an Elderberry-Enriched Carboxymethyl Chitosan Gel in a Rat Gingival Defect Model: Local and Systemic Tolerance With Histological Findings”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 (2): 297-306. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1867014.
EndNote
Uzun Saylan BC, Yılmaz O, Ziylan A, Aktaş S, Baysan G, Gökbayrak ÖE, Çolpankan Güneş O, Havıtçıoğlu H (March 1, 2026) Experimental assessment of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan gel in a rat gingival defect model: local and systemic tolerance with histological findings. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7 2 297–306.
IEEE
[1]B. C. Uzun Saylan et al., “Experimental assessment of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan gel in a rat gingival defect model: local and systemic tolerance with histological findings”, J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 297–306, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.47582/jompac.1867014.
ISNAD
Uzun Saylan, Bilge Cansu - Yılmaz, Osman - Ziylan, Aylin - Aktaş, Safiye - Baysan, Gizem - Gökbayrak, Özde Elif - Çolpankan Güneş, Oylum - Havıtçıoğlu, Hasan. “Experimental Assessment of an Elderberry-Enriched Carboxymethyl Chitosan Gel in a Rat Gingival Defect Model: Local and Systemic Tolerance With Histological Findings”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care 7/2 (March 1, 2026): 297-306. https://doi.org/10.47582/jompac.1867014.
JAMA
1.Uzun Saylan BC, Yılmaz O, Ziylan A, Aktaş S, Baysan G, Gökbayrak ÖE, Çolpankan Güneş O, Havıtçıoğlu H. Experimental assessment of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan gel in a rat gingival defect model: local and systemic tolerance with histological findings. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026;7:297–306.
MLA
Uzun Saylan, Bilge Cansu, et al. “Experimental Assessment of an Elderberry-Enriched Carboxymethyl Chitosan Gel in a Rat Gingival Defect Model: Local and Systemic Tolerance With Histological Findings”. Journal of Medicine and Palliative Care, vol. 7, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 297-06, doi:10.47582/jompac.1867014.
Vancouver
1.Bilge Cansu Uzun Saylan, Osman Yılmaz, Aylin Ziylan, Safiye Aktaş, Gizem Baysan, Özde Elif Gökbayrak, Oylum Çolpankan Güneş, Hasan Havıtçıoğlu. Experimental assessment of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan gel in a rat gingival defect model: local and systemic tolerance with histological findings. J Med Palliat Care / JOMPAC / jompac. 2026 Mar. 1;7(2):297-306. doi:10.47582/jompac.1867014

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