Evaluation of Protective Effect of Propolis on Parotid Salivary Glands in Gamma-irradiated Rats

Abstract

Objective and background: One of the most significant side effects of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers is xerostomia as a result of salivary gland damage. Considering pharmacological effects of propolis, we evaluated its protective effect on salivary glands subjected to radiotherapy of head and neck cancer patients. Materials and methods:Twenty-one male albino rats (8-11 W, 190 ± 5 gm) were divided into three groups of seven animals. Scintigraphy was performed in all the groups. Then groups 1 (S) and 2 (SR) received normal saline injections and group 3 (PR) received propolis injection over 3 days. After that groups 2 and 3 were exposed to gamma radiation and all the rats underwent scintigraphic assessment on third day and 70th day after irradiation. The lips and tongues of rats in groups 2 and 3 were examined for mucositis daily in first 10 days. At the end, the parotid glands of all rats were examined histologically.Results: Scintigraphy results of third and 70th day after irradiation showed statistically significant differences between PR and SR as well as SR and S. However, there was no significant difference between the PR and S groups. Histopathologic assessment demonstrated significant difference between SR, PR and S. Original research Conclusion:These results suggest that propolis has protective effects on salivary gland function in animal models whilst it did not prevent radiation-induced histologic changes in tissues. Further investigations are needed to elucidate mechanisms of propolis actions.Clinical significance: Regarding to the results of this study, propolis may be useful in reduction xerostomia due to radiation to salivary glands and may be helpful for head and neck cancer patients.

Comparison of Salivary and Serum Soluble CD44 Levels between Patients with Oral SCC and Healthy Controls

“…Currently, OSCC is diagnosed usually in stages III and IV, with less effective treatment and a therapeutic success of 30%. Also, the patients suffer from several complications after treatment of oral cancers (Motallebnejad et al, 2014).…”

Histological and Immunohistochemical Study of the Effect of Alendronate on the Submandibular Salivary Gland of Adult Male Albino Rat and the Possible Protective Effect of Propolis

“…In the present research, propolis administration displayed moderate improvement of the previous pathological findings of the submandibular salivary gland induced by alendronate. It was documented that propolis has protective effect against dry mouth induced by parotid salivary gland dysfunctions due to exposure to radiation [42] . This could attribute to the protection of cell membranes with subsequent preservation of the intracellular signal transduction involved in salivary secretion.…”

Untitled

“…The diminished bactericidal effect of saliva favors the increase of population of the microorganisms responsible for these diseases [8,10]. Head and neck radiotherapy is one of the main causes of salivary dysfunction [11,12]. The major salivary glands are usually included in the radiation portals due to the fact that they reside close to primary tumor sites and lymphatic chains of the head and neck region and frequently have their function impaired resulting in hyposalivation and xerostomia [11,[13][14][15].…”

“…Head and neck radiotherapy is one of the main causes of salivary dysfunction [11,12]. The major salivary glands are usually included in the radiation portals due to the fact that they reside close to primary tumor sites and lymphatic chains of the head and neck region and frequently have their function impaired resulting in hyposalivation and xerostomia [11,[13][14][15]. Among the radiotherapy methods most employed in head and neck region, conventional 2D radiotherapy (RC) is the one that presents the most significant side effects on the glandular tissue.…”