Biochemical and Histological Assessment of Oral Wound Healing Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles-Hyaluronic Acid Composite Gel in Rat Models

Authors

• Shahida Rasoul Husain, Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, Iraq AND Department of Dental Assistant, Erbil Medical Technical Institute, Erbil Polytechnic University, Erbil, IraqFollow
• Amal Hanna Aziz, Department of Periodontics, College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University, Kurdistan Region, IraqFollow
• Treefa Farouq Ismail, Department of Biology, College of Education, Salahaddin University-Erbil, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, IraqFollow

Abstract

Oral wound healing is a complex biological process involving coordinated inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases. Recent advances in nanotechnology and biomaterials have highlighted the potential of composite formulations to enhance tissue repair. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and histological effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and hyaluronic acid (HA) composite gel on oral wound healing in rat models. Green-synthesized ZnO NPs, prepared using Cinnamomum zeylanicum extract, were gradually incorporated into methylcellulose (MC) and commercially available HA gels. The physicochemical characterization of the composite gel was assessed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). In addition, the bioadhesive proprieties were evaluated through spreadability, extrudability and viscosity measurements. Standardized vertical incisions were performed on the maxillary gingiva of eighty female rats and they were divided into four groups: control, HA, ZnO NP, and ZnO NP–HA composite gel. Healing was evaluated histologically on days 3, 7, 10, and 14, along with assessment of blood biochemical markers including serum transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Histological examination demonstrated accelerated epithelial regeneration, improved granulation tissue, and decreased inflammation in the ZnO NP–HA group (p < 0.05). Biochemical markers revealed increased TGF-β levels and diminished inflammatory markers in the composite group. In contrast HA, alone decreased (PGE₂) and inflammatory markers at later stages. In conclusion ZnO NP–HA composite gels significantly improved oral wound healing determined as biocompatible and effective biomaterial for the clinical management of oral wounds.

Keywords

Composite gel, Hyaluronic acid gel, Oral wound healing, Rat model, Zinc oxide nanoparticle gel

Subject Area

Biology

Article Type

Article

First Page

2729

Last Page

2743

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite this Article

Husain, Shahida Rasoul; Aziz, Amal Hanna; and Ismail, Treefa Farouq (2026) "Biochemical and Histological Assessment of Oral Wound Healing Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles-Hyaluronic Acid Composite Gel in Rat Models," Baghdad Science Journal: Vol. 23: Iss. 8, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21123/2411-7986.5375