Effects of lime (Citrus aurantifolia christm. swingle) peel extract on fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis in rat's tooth extraction sockets

Post tooth extraction wound healing is an important process in restoring the function of mastication and speech. Proliferation of fibroblasts and angiogenesis plays an important role during wound healing, where fibroblasts and angiogenesis, stimulate the formation of an extracellular matrix and the occurrence of tissue regeneration, respectively. The flavonoids, tannins and saponins found in lime peel extract has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial effects, expected to accelerate healing in post extraction wounds. This research aims to observe the effect of lime peel extract on fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis in the extraction socket of wistar rat teeth. A total of twenty four wistar rats were divided into 4 groups consisting of 2 control and 2 treatment groups. Approximately 50% lime peel extract was topically applied into post extraction socket in the treatment group. The rats were sacrificed and sample collected on day 3 and 5, with the number of fibroblast and new blood vessels histologically counted and statistically analyzed with significance p value < 0.05. There were significant differences in the number of fibroblast and new blood vessels on the third and fifth day (p = 0.000) between the control and treatment group. Topical application of 50% lime peel extract gel was used to increase fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis during the wound healing process of rat post tooth extraction socket.