Impact of Chamomile on Submandibular Salivary Gland of 5-Fluorouracil Treated Rabbits (Histological and Immunohistochemical Study)

Abstract

Background and objectives: Chamomile has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mild astringent and healing medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential anticytotoxic effect of chamomile extract on the submandibular glands of 5-FU treated female rabbits. Materials and methods: Forty female white rabbits weighing between 1.0 kg and 1.5 kg were divided randomly into two groups. Control groups (intraperitoneally injected by physiological saline) consist of distilled water treated group and chamomile extract treated group (100 mg/kg), 10 animals each, and the treatment continue for 16 days. Study groups (intraperitoneally injected by 5-FU) consist also of distilled water treated group and chamomile extract treated group, 10 animals each, and the treatment also continue for 16 days. They were gavaged by distilled water or by chamomile extract in a similar way like control groups, but intraperitoneal injections of the 5-FU at a dose of (4 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally once daily for 5 successive days. The right and left submandibular salivary glands of all the animals were dissected out and prepared for histological and immunohistochemical examinations. \ Results: 5-FU cause signs of acini degeneration and large dilated blood vessels engorged with red blood cells were also seen. A statistically no significant differences were found between saline/distilled water and the other three groups regarding Ki-67 immuno expression (p>0.05). Statistical analysis also showed no significant differences present between saline/distilled water and saline/chamomile group in term of rate of apoptosis (p>0.05), but this difference were significant (p<0.05) between group 5-FU/distilled water and 5-FU/chamomile group, saline/ distilled water group and 5-FU/distilled water or 5-FU/chamomile group (p<0.05), and saline/chamomile and 5-FU/ distilled water or 5-FU/chamomile group. Conclusion: Chamomile extracts at a concentration of 100 mg/kg/day orally gavaged for 16 days cause some microscopically changes to rabbit’s submandibular salivary gland. Cytotoxicity of chamomile extract increased if it’s taken with 5-FU by increasing the expression of cleaved caspase-3 immunostaining.