Effect of Chlorhexidine Digluconate in Early Wound Healing of Human Gingival Tissues: A Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Biomolecular Analysis

The study examined the effects of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) on early wound healing in gingival tissues of three patients. CHX was found to reduce cellular proliferation and increase collagen deposition, apoptosis, and fibrotic marker expression, suggesting a fibrotic transformation and scar-like healing response. This was supported by increased myofibroblast differentiation and changes in gene expression related to fibrosis and apoptosis. Despite the small sample size, the findings indicated that CHX could negatively impact gingival wound healing by interfering with normal cellular processes, highlighting the need for revised clinical protocols for its post-surgical use.