A Topical Combination of Xyloglucan and Pea Protein Effectively Manages Oral Ulcers In Vivo

Background: Aphthous stomatitis (AS) is a common idiopathic condition that affects approximately 5% to 25% of the general population. AS is characterized by recurrent painful aphthous ulcers on non-keratinized oral mucous membranes. Lifestyle modifications and topical treatments are often used to manage symptoms, but no definitive cure exists. This study aims to evaluate the ability of a topical gel containing xyloglucan and pea protein (TXP), two mucoprotective substances, to restore the integrity of oral epithelial cells and manage inflammation associated with AS. Methods: In this study, oral ulcers were induced in rats by applying a phenol solution for 60 s to the mucosa of the left cheek. Following the formation of the lesion (24 h later) topical treatment with TXP was carried out for 2, 4, and 5 days. The healing properties of TXP were assessed by histopathological examination of the oral mucosa through the evaluation of morphological criteria such as hyperemia, edema, and presence of neutrophilic infiltration and by measuring the expression levels of inflammatory markers such as TNF-α and IL-2. Results: Results demonstrated that TXP was able to effectively treat oral ulcers by reducing the degree of hyperemia and edema in cheek tissue already at day 4. Moreover, TXP significantly decreased the levels of IL-2 and TNF-α after 4 days of gel application. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that TXP possesses a significant ulcer repairing ability in vivo, as it effectively restores the integrity of oral mucosal tissue, thus helping to reduce inflammation.