Introduction: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have widespread commercial application in many products such as home and food products. They lead to various harmful effects.
Aim of the Work: The current work aimed to detect the impact of Silver nanoparticles on parotid gland of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of Royal Jelly. Royal jelly is the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands' secretion of worker honeybees to feed the young larvae and queen bee. It has been reported to be antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent.
Materials and Methods: Thirty rats were equally divided into 3 groups: Control group, treated group which received silver nano particles (AgNPs) by I.P. injection at a dose of 2 mg/kg once daily for 28 days and protective group which received AgNps as the previous dose then received royal jelly orally in gavage in a dose of (1 gm/kg body weight) 3 times a week for 28 days. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD) and tissue Amylase were calculated. Specimens of parotid gland were examined by light and electron microscopes. The treated group showed vacuolation of acinar and duct cells, darkly stained nuclei, dilated excretory ducts, congested blood vessels and infiltrating inflammatory cells. Ultrastructurally, there were ill defined organelles, dilated RER, autophagic vacuoles and dark heterochromatic nuclei. Immunohistochemically, there was increased cytoplasmic immunostaining of Bax and increased nuclear and cytoplasmic immunostaining of Ki67 in many acini.
Results: These results were estimated morphometrically and statistically. Royal jelly intake showed improving the parotid gland structure and function. Biochemical and histological parameters showed great improvement. Royal Jelly has an ameliorative effect against Silver nanoparticles-induced parotid gland toxicity.
Conclusion: Royal jelly has a potent antioxidant activity against silver nanoparticles in parotid gland of adult male albino rats.