Assessment of the protective effects of virgin coconut oil and propolis against methotrexate-induced toxicity in sublingual salivary glands of albino rats | ||||
| Dental Science Updates | ||||
| Volume 6, Issue 2, September 2025, Page 403-416 PDF (3.03 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/dsu.2025.375817.1297 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Nada Zaki  1; Elham Fathi 2; Enas Mahmoud Hegazy 2; Reham Magdy3
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| 1Oral biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, British University in Egypt. | ||||
| 2Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University | ||||
| 3Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Introduction: Methotrexate is an antimetabolite drug that is used as anti-cancerous drug which can cause cell damage by weakening the body’s antioxidant defenses. Antioxidants like propolis and virgin coconut oil may help protect against this damage by reducing oxidative stress caused by MTX administration. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of propolis and virgin coconut oil (VCO) against toxicity induced by methotrexate (MTX) on sublingual salivary glands. Materials and Methods: Fifty rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups (n=10), Group 1 (Control): Rats received saline by oral gavage for 17 days. Group 2 (MTX): Rats were injected intraperitoneally (Ip) with MTX (20 mg/kg) on day 14 only. Group 3 (Propolis and MTX): Rats were administered propolis by oral gavage at a dose of 100 mg/kg/ day for 17 days and injected (Ip) with MTX (20 mg/kg) on day 14. Group 4 (VCO and MTX): Rats were administered VCO by oral gavage at a dose of 5 ml/kg body weight for 17 days, with MTX (20 mg/kg) injected (Ip) on day 14. Group 5 (VCO, Propolis, and MTX): Rats received propolis (100 mg/kg/day) and VCO (5 ml/kg) for 17 days, with MTX (20 mg/kg) injected (Ip) on day 14. Results: This study revealed that both propolis and VCO effectively reduce MTX-induced cytotoxicity on sublingual glands. Propolis preserved gland structure and reduced caspase-3 immunoexpression, while VCO maintained gland architecture and blood vessel integrity leading to a decrease in caspase-3 levels. Combined, they provided protective effects similar to those observed in the control group. Conclusion: These findings suggest propolis and VCO could serve as complementary therapies durin | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Apoptosis; Methotrexate; propolis; sublingual salivary glands damage; virgin coconut oil | ||||
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