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Number of macrophages and transforming growth factor β expression in Citrus <i>limon L.</i> Tlekung peel oil-treated traumatic ulcers in diabetic rats


Meircurius Dwi Condro Surboyo
Fatma Yasmin Mahdani
Diah Savitri Ernawati
Priyo Hadi
Hening Tuti Hendarti
Adiastuti Endah Parmadiati
Desiana Radithia
Shiffin Devi Mardiyana
Indi Mazaya Syarifah

Abstract

Purpose: To analyse the potential use of Citrus limon L. Tlekung peel oil in the treatment of traumatic ulcers in diabetic rats based on number of macrophages and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) expression.


Method: Standard steam distillation was performed to produce Citrus limon L. peel oil with its components subsequently analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ) via administration of a single 50 mg/kg dose. A traumatic ulcer was subsequently induced with a 5 mm burnisher heated for 30 s and applied without pressure for 1 s to the lower labial mucosa of the animals. Citrus limon L. oil gel containing 3% carboxyl methyl cellulose sodium was then topically administered to the traumatic ulcer for a period of three or five days. TGF-β expression was analysed through immunohistochemical staining and the macrophage number calculated with haematoxylin-eosin stain.


Results: The major identified compounds in Citrus limon L. peel oil include fumaric (31.78 %), dlimonene (17.38 %), z-citral (13.55 %), L-linalool (8.51 %), geraniol nerol (3.56 %), geraniol (2.94 %,), αterpineol (1.25 %) and γ-terpinene (1.03 %) together with other minor constituents. Treatment of traumatic ulcers with Citrus limon L peel oil produced higher number of macrophages and TGF-β expression (p = 0.000). Treatment over a period of five days also indicated higher expression of TGF-β and number of macrophages compared to that lasting three days with Citrus limon L peel oil (p = 0.000).


Conclusion: Citrus limon L peel oil stimulates TGF-β expression and an increase of macrophage numbers in diabetic subjects during traumatic ulcer healing after three and seven days. Clinical application of Citrus limon L peel oil constitutes a potential therapy in the treatment of traumatic ulcers in diabetic subjects.


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eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996