Oral mucositis is a typical adverse effect of chemotherapy, causing oral pain that significantly reduces the patient’s quality of life. β-cryptoxanthin (β-cry) is a carotenoid abundant in citrus fruits with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the β-cry effect on oral mucositis remains unclear. We investigated the effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and β-cry on human normal oral mucosal keratinocytes (hOMK). hOMK was seeded on a culture plate and cultured with 5-FU and β-cry. The cell number, mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and production of inflammatory cytokines in hOMK were evaluated. Additionally, the cell count and inflammatory cytokine production were analyzed when hOMK was co-stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (P. gingivalis LPS) in addition to 5-FU. The numbers of hOMK significantly reduced with 5-FU stimulation, whereas it increased with β-cry treatment. mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-9 and protein production of IL-6 and IL-8 in hOMK were augmented on 5-FU stimulation. Simultaneously, β-cry treatment significantly suppressed IL-8 and MMP-9 mRNA expression, and IL-8 production was induced on 5-FU stimulation. Co-stimulation with P. gingivalis LPS and 5-FU enhanced IL-6 and IL-8 production in hOMK. β-cry could enhance cell proliferation and suppress 5-FU-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines and MMP in hOMK. Thus, β-cry can alleviate the symptoms of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis, and its combination with oral care is effective in managing oral mucositis.

Background Congenital epulis is a rare tumor of the newborns. Case Presentation We found a case of soft elastic pedunculated masses in the left maxillary anterior (26 × 14 × 11 mm) and left mandibular anterior (55 × 44 × 11 mm) areas, protruding out of the oral cavity. The large multiple masses interfered with suckling. These masses were excised using a carbon dioxide laser under general anesthesia. They were diagnosed histopathologically and immunocamically as congenital granular cell epulis. These were no complication after surgery. Conclusion We report a 1‐day old female infant with large congenital epulis in the left anterior deciduous tooth regions of the upper and lower jaws, accompanying impaired suckling. The histopathological finding of masses was congenital granular cell epulis.