Effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on salivary gland damage in Sjögren's syndrome mice model

Abstract

Background Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and inflammation of the exocrine glands, especially the lacrimal and salivary glands. Moringa oleifera (MO) leaves are rich in polyphenols and flavonoids which have antioxidant activity which is also shown when extracted with ethanol. This study aimed to probe the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-17 (IL-17), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and caspase-3 levels and salivary gland damage in Sjögren's syndrome mice model. Methods Thirty-two samples were divided into four treatment groups: 200 mg/kg BW MO-ethanol leaf extracts with 1.23 mg/kg BW dexamethasone group (T2), 1.23 mg/kg BW dexamethasone alone group (T1), normal control group/C- (without induction of Ro antigen (SSA) and extract of MO-ethanol), and negative group/C+ (with induction of Ro antigen (SSA) on day 42). MDA, IL-17, MMP-9, and caspase-3 levels and salivary gland epithelium damage (histopathological changes) were measured 14 days post-Ro antigen (SSA) induction. The method used to measure MDA level was Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance (TBARS) while IL-7 and MMP-9 were ELISA. Some of the salivary gland was used for histological preparations using the paraffin method withoud Harris Hematoxylin–Eosin (HE) staining. Then for the examination of caspase-3, we used the standard procedure of immunohistochemically staining. The salivary gland epithelium damage examination used the HE staining of histological preparation. Results There were significant differences in MDA, IL-17, MMP-9, and caspase-3 levels in the group given a 200 mg/kg BW dose of MO-ethanol leaf extract compared to the control group. The administration of the extract also significantly reduced the degree of necrosis of the salivary gland epithelium. Conclusions Moringa oleifera leaf extract reduced MDA, IL-17, MMP9, and caspase-3 levels and salivary epithelial damage.