Experimental assessment of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan gel in a rat gingival defect model: local and systemic tolerance with histological findings

Aims: The local and systemic effects of an elderberry-enriched carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCht-E) gel formulation were evaluated in an experimental rat gingival defect model.Methods: Twenty-one male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups, including a sham group, a CMCht gel group, and a CMCht-E gel group, with seven animals in each group. Standardized gingival defects measuring 3 mm in diameter were surgically created in the mandibular incisor region. Sham defects were irrigated with normal saline only, whereas experimental defects were treated with CMCht or CMCht-E gel. Local tissue responses were evaluated by macroscopic and histological analyses, and systemic effects were assessed using hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Results: Histological analysis revealed a significant intergroup difference in epithelial thickness (p0.05). Hematological and biochemical parameters showed no significant intergroup differences (p>0.05). Conclusion: The elderberry-enriched CMCht gel showed favorable histological healing without inflammatory infiltration or systemic adverse effects, supporting its potential as a locally well-tolerated topical biomaterial with anti-inflammatory properties for gingival wound applications.