Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of a new composite gel of carboxymethyl chitosan/β-dextran in rat dry socket model. METHODS: Carboxymethyl chitosan/oat β-dextran composite gel was prepared, its viscosity, appearance and shape, and stability in oral wet environment were investigated. Staphylococcus aureus was selected for in vitro inhibition test. Blank negative control group, carboxymethyl chitosan/oat β-dextran composite gel group, and iodoform gauze positive control group were established respectively, and the maxillary first molars were extracted to establish a dry socket model in SD rats, to preliminarily evaluate the healing effect of alveolar fossa wounds. The maxillary bone and gingival fixed decalcification were also taken and histopathologically observed for healing as well as immunofluorescence to detect differences in the expression of inflammatory factors between the groups. SPSS 19.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The compound gel group had obvious antibacterial effect, which can effectively exert local anti-inflammatory and antibacterial efficacy. Compared with the blank control group, visual observation of wound healing, histopathological observation and immunofluorescence inflammatory factor labeling showed that the composite gel group had significant effect on inflammation inhibition and wound healing, which was comparable to the iodoform gauze group. CONCLUSIONS: Carboxymethyl chitosan/oat β-dextran composite gel has significant antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and can accelerate the healing of dry socket wounds in rats, which is expected to provide an efficient antibacterial and accelerated healing therapeutic measure for the treatment of clinical dry socket.

Key words: Dry socket, Carboxymethyl chitosan, Oat β-dextran, Compound gel