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

Year 2026, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 297 - 306, 27.03.2026

Bilge Cansu Uzun Saylan , Osman Yılmaz , Aylin Ziylan , Safiye Aktaş , Gizem Baysan , Özde Elif Gökbayrak , Oylum Çolpankan Güneş , Hasan Havıtçıoğlu

https://izlik.org/JA46KN53EE

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

Elderberry extract , carboxymethyl chitosan , gingival defect , topical gel , rat , histological evaluation

Ethical Statement

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

Supporting Institution

Dokuz Eylul University

Project Number

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

Thanks

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

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