Introduction: Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is an anti-cancer medication, utilized in chemotherapy. Recently, inflammation of oral mucosa (mucositis) is thought to be one of the most serious side effects of anticancer therapy.
Aim of the Work: To investigate the role of glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) root extract on rat tongue mucositis induced by CPA.
Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were classified into four groups, (each included 10 rats): Group I (Control group), Group II (Licorice group): each rat received licorice root extract by an oral daily dose of 200 mg/kg/day for 10 days, Group III (CPA group): each rat received CPA in a single intraperitoneal dose of 300 mg/kg on the second day of experiment and Group IV (Licorice CPA group): each rat received licorice root extract by an oral daily dose of 200 mg/kg/day for ten days, on the second day of experiment, the rats received CPA in a single intraperitoneal dose of 300 mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, the rats were anesthetized, and the tongue was excised for histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis. Morphometric and statistical analysis were also done.
Results: Licorice root extract reduced the severity of CPA induced oral mucositis by increasing the epithelial thickness, normalization of congested blood vessels in the lamina propria of tongue mucosa, significant amelioration of immunoreactivity to anti-Ki-67, anti-E-cadherin and anti-P53.
Conclusion: CPA chemotherapy has a detrimental effect on the oral mucosa resulting in marked morphometric and microscopic changes. Glycyrrhiza glabra extract can protect the oral mucosa from CPA-induced toxicity and reduce the associated injuryز