Thermoresponsive gel delivery of caffeic acid promotes healing in a rat nasal septal perforation model
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background Nasal septal perforations (NSPs) are a challenging clinical problem due to impaired healing under constant airflow, dryness, and microbial exposure. Adjuncts that enhance mucosal regeneration and extracellular matrix activity are needed.Objectives This study evaluated whether topical caffeic acid (CA) delivered in a thermoresponsive Pluronic F127 gel improves histopathological and macroscopic healing in a rat NSP model.Material and Methods Nineteen male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control (n = 8) or CA (n = 11) groups. A standardized full-thickness septal perforation (∼2 mm) was surgically created. Controls received intranasal saline, while the CA group received 0.2 mL CA-loaded Pluronic F127 gel once daily for 14 days. Histopathological parameters (epithelial regeneration, degeneration, fibroblast density, collagen density, angiogenesis, inflammation) were scored on a 0–3 scale. Macroscopic closure was also evaluated. Fisher’s exact test was applied (p < 0.05).Results CA significantly increased epithelial regeneration (p = 0.005), fibroblast density (p = 0.014), and collagen density (p = 0.018), while reducing epithelial degeneration (p < 0.001). Angiogenesis and inflammation showed favorable trends. Macroscopic closure improved but was not statistically significant (p = 0.101).Conclusions and significance Topical CA in a thermoresponsive gel enhanced mucosal repair and extracellular matrix activity in a rat NSP model, supporting its potential as a therapeutic adjunct in septal perforation management.
Source: Acta Oto-Laryngologica
Authors: Lütfü Şeneldir, Ahmet Koder, Ahmet Doğan Ergin
Institutions: Istanbul Medipol University, Trakya University
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4414492937