Background: Radiotherapy has produced a significant increase in cure rates for many malignancies of the head and neck region. Herbal medicine products are a natural alternative of radioprotectors which is important to manage pathological conditions caused by free radicals produced by ionizing radiations. Spirulina and ginger possess radioprotective action through their scavenging mechanisms and antioxidant potential.
Aim of Study: To evaluate the possible action of spirulina and ginger on alveolar bone of lower jaw after exposure to radiation in albino rats.
Materials and Methods: 20 adult male albino rats were equally divided into 4 groups: Control Group (CG): rats received no radiation or treatment. Irradiated Untreated Group (IUG): rats received a single dose of gamma irradiation (6.5Gy). Spirulina Treated Group (STG): rats received 20ml/kg/day of spirulina for a week after irradiation. Ginger Treated Group (GTG): rats received 20ml/kg/day of ginger for a week after irradiation. At the end of the experiment, mandibles were dissected and examined histologically, immunohistochemically and radiographically.
Results: Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) results of CG revealed alveolar bone proper with a regular outline and lined with osteoblasts. IUG showed degenerated areas in alveolar bone and reversal lines. STG and GTG represented relatively irregular socket wall and degeneration in some areas of alveolar bone. Masson trichrome results of CG and GTG revealed immature collagen intermingled with mature collagen. IUG and STG showed immature collagen. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) results in CG and IUG showed positive immunoreaction with mild intensity of osteoblasts and osteocytes. STG showed severe intensity, while GTG revealed moderate intensity. Radiographically, alveolar bone around the roots showed radiopacity in CG and STG, while in IUG and GTG showed radiolucency.
Conclusions: Exposure to gamma radiation had destructive effect on alveolar bone. Spirulina and ginger have radioprotective action against the deleterious effects of radiation.