Anti-inflammatory effect of L-cysteine (a semi-essential amino acid) on 5-FU-induced oral mucositis in hamsters.

Oral mucositis is an inflammation of the oral mucosa mainly resulting from the cytotoxic effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The literature shows anti-inflammatory action of L-cysteine (L-cys) involving hydrogen sulfide (HS). In view of these properties, we investigate the effect of L-cys in oral mucositis induced by 5-FU in hamsters.