Taurine Nanodots Promote Oral Ulcer Healing Via Erk Signaling Pathway

The study aimed to synthesize taurine nanodots (TANDs) and investigate their effects on oral ulcer healing and potential mechanisms. Taurine and magnesium ions were used to synthesize taurine magnesium nanodots, which were characterized by TEM, XPS, and FTIR. A tongue ulcer injury model was established in mice, and the effects of TANDs on oral ulcer healing were studied through in vitro cell experiments and in vivo histological observations. Human oral epithelial cells (HOEC) were chosen as the key cells for oral ulcer healing, and the effects of TANDs on cell proliferation, migration, and collagen formation were determined using the EdU staining, Transwell assay, and Van Gieson staining method. The potential mechanism was revealed by RNA sequencing. TEM, XPS, and FTIR results indicated the successful synthesis of TANDs with a diameter of less than 10 nm. Stereo microscope observation and H&E staining confirmed that TANDs accelerated the healing of oral ulcers in vivo. The EdU staining, Transwell assay, and Van Gieson staining experiment showed that TANDs could promote the proliferation, migration, and collagen formation of HOEC in vitro. Mechanistically, the RNA sequencing experiment showed that TANDs promote oral ulcer healing through the ERK signaling pathway. Taurine nanodots promote oral ulcer healing through the ERK signaling pathway, which may be a novel nanocandidate drug for clinical translation.