Fig. 3
From: Oral submucous fibrosis: pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches
Pharmacological strategies may lead to OSF regression. (1) Modulation of extracellular matrix deposition that control OSF development is an antifibrotic approach: Local injection of hyaluronidase, collagenase, and chymotrypsin is used to reduce the levels of ECM deposition by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid, esters, and peptide bonds. (2) Regulation of inflammatory response. Inhibition of inflammation and prevention of activation of MFB by the injection of immunomodulators such as steroids, or anti-fibrotic cytokines. (3) Ameliorating peripheral microcirculation disturbance with established drugs to improve vascular occlusion and fibrinolysis system disorders will attenuate OSF progression, with multiple optimized strategies under development. (4) Other therapeutic strategies are under development to inhibit the collagen aggregation, including antioxidants and natural medicine such as tanshinone and curcumin that act on TGF-β/Smad signaling. BG/HA have been used to inhibit inflammatory responses and promote angiogenesis. DPSCs might have beneficial therapeutic effects via inhibiting crosstalk between epithelial cells and T cells, although further studies are needed
