The potential of calcitriol gel in accelerating the healing of traumatic oral ulcers

Objectives: This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of topical calcitriol gel on traumatic oral ulcer healing, by assessing inflammatory, proliferative, and angiogenic responses in an in vivo rat model. Methods: ), and the animals were divided into a topical calcitriol gel treatment group and a control group. Ulcer healing was assessed at multiple time points (days 4, 6, and 8) with hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson's trichrome staining, and immunohistochemistry. The evaluated parameters included macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration, fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, capillary formation, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Results: Calcitriol-treated ulcers, compared with those in the control group, demonstrated significantly greater macrophage infiltration on day 6 (p = 0.045) and day 8 (p = 0.031), as well as significantly higher lymphocyte counts on day 6 (p = 0.033) and day 8 (p = 0.021). In addition, fibroblast proliferation, collagen deposition, and capillary density were significantly greater in the treatment group than the control group (p < 0.05). VEGF expression peaked on day 6 (p = 0.023), thus indicating enhanced angiogenic activity. Conclusions: Topical calcitriol gel significantly enhanced healing in traumatic oral ulcers by modulating inflammatory responses, promoting fibroblast activity, and stimulating angiogenesis. These findings support its potential as a therapeutic agent for oral mucosal repair.