Oral mucosal adhesive films containing royal jelly accelerate recovery from 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis

Oral mucositis induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy has an impact upon qualityof-life,is dose-limiting for chemotherapy,and causes considerable morbidity. we evaluated the effect of royal jelly (rj) on 5-fluorouracil (5-fu)-induced oral mucositis in hamsters. oral mucositis was induced in hamsters through a combination of 5-fu treatment and mild abrasion of the cheek pouch. rj was contained in chitosan-sodium alginate film (rj film). films were attached to the oral mucosa and the healing process examined by measuring the area of mucositis,myeloperoxidase (mpo) activity,microscopic aspects,and rt-pcr for detection of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β). furthermore,we evaluated the radicalscavenging activity of rj and generation of keratinocyte growth factor from human periodontal ligament fibroblasts. rj films (10%,30%) significantly improved recovery from 5-fu-induced damage,reduced mpo activity and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. additionally,rj showed radical-scavenging activity. these data suggest that topical application of films that contain rj had a healing effect on the severe oral mucositis induced by 5-fu and that the effect was caused by the anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidative activities of rj. © the japanese pharmacological society.