Wound Healing Effects of Arnebia Densiflora Root Extracts on Rat Palatal Mucosa H.Huseyin Kosgera Mustafa Ozturkb Atalay Sokmenc Eray Bulutd Sinan Aye AbStRACt Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate wound healing effects of Arnebia densiolfra (Nordm.) Ledeb. root extracts on rat palatal mucosa. Methods: A 10-mm full-thickness mucosal wounds were created on midline of rats’ palate by using scalpel. In the experimental groups, a ten percent extract of A. densiolfra roots was topically applied once a day as ointment on the wounds. After wounding, tissue samples from palatal mucosa were harvested at 4, 7, 14 and 21 days and then evaluated histologically. Results: It was observed that 10% A. densiolfra root extract has progressive effects on wound healing in experimental groups. Conclusions: This study suggests that A. densiolfra root extract could be developed as a therapeutic agent for wound healing. (Eur J Dent 2009;3:96-99) Key words: Arnebia densiolfra; Wound healing; Rat; Palatal mucosa. INtRoduCtIoN The screening of plant extracts has been of great interest to scientist for the discovery of new drugs effective in the treatment of several diseases.1 Turkish flora has one of the most extensive floras in the world with more than 9000 plant species.2 A number of reports concerning the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity of plant extracts of Turkish medicinal plants have appeared in the literature, but the vast majority has yet to be investigated.3,4 a Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey. b Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. c Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Literature, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey. d Professor, Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey. 96 European Journal of Dentistry e Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey. Corresponding author: Dr. H. Huseyin Kosger Cumhuriyet Universitesi, Dis Hekimligi Fakultesi, ADCH ve Cerrahisi AD, 58140, Sivas, Turkey. Phone: +90 346 2191010 / 2784 Fax: +90 346 2191237 E-mail: hkosger@cumhuriyet.edu.tr