Topical application of the lectin A rtin M accelerates wound healing in rat oral mucosa by enhancing TGF ‐β and VEGF production

The lectin A rtin M has been shown to accelerate the wound‐healing process. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of A rtin M on wound healing in the palatal mucosa of rats and to investigate the effects of A rtin M on transforming growth factor beta ( TGF ‐β) and vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF ) secretion by rat gingival fibroblasts. A surgical wound was created on the palatal mucosa of 72 rats divided into three groups according to treatment: C — C ontrol (nontreated), A — A rtin M gel, and V — V ehicle. Eight animals per group were sacrificed at 3, 5, and 7 days postsurgery for histology, immunohistochemistry and determination of the levels of cytokines, and growth factors. Gingival fibroblasts were incubated with 2.5 μg/m L of A rtin M for 24, 48, and 72 hours. The expression of VEGF and TGF ‐β was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Histologically, at day 7, the A rtin M group showed earlier reepithelialization, milder inflammatory infiltration, and increased collagen fiber formation, resulting in faster maturation of granular tissue than in the other groups ( p