Abstract

ABSTRACT: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a mouthrinse containing an aqueous extract of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) on healing wounds of the oral mucosa in healthy subjects. Twenty Eight healthy, non-smoking male students, mean age 22 years, were recruited for a double-blind study at the School of Dentistry of the University of Concepción, Chile. A standard 3mm wound was created on the palate with a punch biopsy. The wounds were photographed to assess healing for 21 days. The subjects were instructed to use a mouthrinse 3 times daily for 21 days, starting the day of wounding, and were divided into a control group (placebo) and an experimental group (rosemary extract). The aqueous rosemary extract used for the mouthrinse had a high content of carnosol (83 %) and rosmarinic acid (65 %) as determined by HPLC. We observed a 20 % reduction in wound size by day 3 in the rosemary mouthrinse group as compared to the placebo mouthrinse group (p=0.04, Mann Whitney). Thereafter, no significant differences in wound closure were observed. Healing was completed by day 21 in both groups. The results suggest that the mouthrinse containing the aqueous rosemary extract stimulates early healing of mucosal wounds. This could be due to the high content of carnosol and rosmarinic acid, which are known for their healing and antimicrobial properties.