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Curcumin mitigates the histopathological and molecular changes in sublingual glands in diabetic male rats
1Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Minia University, Minia, 61511, Egypt.
Objective:
demonstrate the possible palliative role of curcumin in the prospective molecular and histological alterations in the sublingual glands of diabetic male rats.
Methods:
Twenty-one male adult rats were used and randomly assigned into three groups (n = 7). The control group consisted of rats administered a single IP injection of saline. The diabetic group included rats receiving one dose of alloxan (140 mg/kg). The nanocurcumin-treated rat group (NC group) contained diabetic rats administered 200 mg/kg nanocurcumin. After 42 days, the salivary glands were dissected and assessed for Masson trichrome, Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, expression of c-kit and β-catenin, and histomorphometric analysis.
Results:
The sublingual glands of diabetic rats revealed altered histology. In addition, the salivary tissues depicted an apparent change in β-catenin, and c-kit expression. The NC group resumed the normal sublingual gland architecture and c-kit and β-catenin expression.
Conclusion:
Curcumin treatment rescued the histological and molecular changes in the sublingual glands of the diabetic rats. The ameliorating effect of curcumin on sublingual tissues of diabetic rats may be due to resuming of expression of β-catenin suggesting restoration of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the glandular tissues which can maintain the c-kit + glandular stem/progenitor cells.
Insights
Curcumin treatment improved the sublingual gland histology and molecular changes in diabetic rats. This suggests curcumin may help restore salivary gland function by supporting stem cell populations.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Histology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus can cause significant histological and molecular alterations in salivary glands.
- Sublingual gland dysfunction is a potential complication of uncontrolled diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the palliative effects of nanocurcumin on diabetic-induced changes in rat sublingual glands.
- To assess molecular markers, including c-kit and beta-catenin, and histological features.
Main Methods:
- Adult male rats were divided into control, diabetic (alloxan-induced), and nanocurcumin-treated groups.
- Sublingual glands were analyzed after 42 days using H&E and Masson trichrome staining, and immunohistochemistry for c-kit and beta-catenin.
- Histomorphometric analysis was performed.
Main Results:
- Diabetic rats exhibited altered sublingual gland histology and changes in beta-catenin and c-kit expression.
- Nanocurcumin treatment restored normal gland architecture and normalized c-kit and beta-catenin expression.
- Histomorphometric analysis supported the protective effects of nanocurcumin.
Conclusions:
- Curcumin effectively rescued histological and molecular damage in the sublingual glands of diabetic rats.
- The protective mechanism may involve the restoration of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, preserving c-kit positive stem/progenitor cells.
- Nanocurcumin demonstrates a potential palliative role in managing diabetic salivary gland complications.
