THE EFFECT OF MORINGA LEAF EXTRACT GEL (MORINGA OLEIFERA) ON FIBROBLASTS IN THE TRAUMATIC ULCER HEALING OF MALE WISTAR RATS (RATTUS NOVERGICUS) WITH DIABETES

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease that hinders the wound healing process. Traumatic ulcers are lesions on the oral mucosa due to trauma. Diabetes hinders the proliferation of fibroblasts in the ulcer healing process. This study aims to prove the effect of moringa oleifera leaf extract gel on the number of fibroblasts in the traumatic ulcer healing process in Wistar rats with diabetes.  Materials and Methods: his study used a post-test only control group design with a sample size of four rats per group in eight groups with four testing times, namely on days 3, 5, 7, and 9 after applying moringa leaf extract gel three times a day. The labial mucosa of Wistar rats was then taken and the number of fibroblasts was calculated using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining.Results: The results of the comparison of the number of fibroblasts between the 15% moringa leaf extract gel and NA-CMC 3% were as follows: on day 3= 3.1:3.0; on day 5= 4.3:3.85; on day 7= 3.75:5.3; and on day 9= 7.4:6.05. Discussion: This indicates that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of moringa extract compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, and vitamin C can reduce free radicals and inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines, allowing fibroblasts to survive better and proliferate more actively. Additionally, Moringa oleifera has been reported to increase the expression of growth factors such as TGF-β1 and VEGF in diabetic wounds, which play a role in stimulating fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis.Conclusion: This study shows that the administration of moringa leaf extract gel can increase fibroblasts in diabetic Wistar rats with traumatic ulcers.