Introduction: Cisplatin chemotherapy targets many tumors. However, it affects the submandibular gland causing its hypofunction. Hesperidin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.
Aim of the Work: Was to evaluate the biochemical and histological alterations caused by two regimens of cisplatin application on rat's submandibular gland and to assess the effect of hesperidin against these changes.
Materials and Methods: 70 adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups. Group I; control rats, Group II was given hesperidin (100mg/kg/day) orally from day 1 until the experiment end. Group III received single high cisplatin dose (intraperitoneally 12mg/kg) on 8th day and subdivided into subgroup IIIa that received cisplatin only and IIIb received cisplatin + hesperidin as group II. Group IV received multiple low cisplatin doses (intraperitoneally 6mg/kg) once a week starting from 8th day and subdivided into subgroup IVa that received cisplatin only and IVb received cisplatin + hesperidin as group II. Submandibular glands were dissected out and processed for biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical studies. c-Kit was used as a stem cell marker.
Results: Subgroups IIIa & IVa showed biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural changes that was more marked in IIIa. There was a significant elevation of malondialdehyde and reduction of antioxidant enzyme activities, disturbance of gland architecture, acinar and duct cell degeneration, significant elevation in % area of collagen fibers and significant reduction in % area of c- kit immune reaction. Subgroups IIIb and IVb showed improvement in the histological picture of the gland with a significant increase in % area of c- kit immune reaction.
Conclusion: Cisplatin causes changes in submandibular gland being more marked with the single high dose. Hesperidin partially alleviates these changes through its antioxidant action and enhanced activation of secretory complex stem cells. So, hesperidin can be used clinically with chemotherapy to prevent its side effects.