Aim: To evaluate the potential effect of Uncaria Tomentosa (UT) extract against fipronil (FIP) induced oral mucositis through histological examination and immunohistochemical analysis as well as determination of certain oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers.
Materials & Methods: Forty rats were allocated into four groups (10 rats each); Group I: Untreated rats (control group), Group II: The rats received 120 mg/kg body weight of
10% UT extract orally for 30 days, Group III: The rats received 1/10 LD50 FIP at the dose 9.7mg/kg body weight orally for 30 days, Group IV: The rats received both FIP and UT orally at the same doses of groups II and III for 30 days. All rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation and then the buccal mucosae from both sides were dissected out.
Results: Buccal mucosa specimens that were stained with H&E of FIP treated group showed histological changes in both surface epithelium and lamina propria. However, buccal mucosa of FIP +UT group showed improvement in their histological structures.Buccal mucosa specimens that were incubated with Caspase 3 monoclonal antibody of FIP group exhibited strong positive staining reaction. While those of FIP +UT group expressed weak to moderate staining reaction..Administration of FIP for 30 days resulted in a significant elevation of MDA as an index for lipid peroxidation in tissue specimens and remarked elevation in the expression of inflammatory cytokines, TNF alpha and interleukin 1 beta, was also observed upon the treatment of FIP. Co-administration of Uncaria and FIP counteracted such a rise.