background: Diabetes mellitus DM is a metabolic disorder associated with salivary dysfunction leading to xerostomia. Ginger is a medicinal plant known to have a positive effect on blood glucose level. L-Carnitine is a vitamin-like molecule with a noticeable hypoglycemic and antioxidant activity.
Aim: This study aimed to compare the antidiabetic effect of Ginger and L-Carnitine on submandibular salivary gland of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Materials and methods: Fifty male Wister albino rats were divided into five groups (10 rats each): Control group remained untreated. After induction of diabetes, the remaining forty rats were divided into: diabetic group, metformin group, ginger group, and l-carnitine group. After six weeks, rats were euthanized, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Submandibular glands on both sides were dissected out and prepared for light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic examination and histomorphometric analysis of acinar cell vacuolization, optical density of Periodic Acid Schiff and Alcian Blue staining and the data were statistically analyzed.
Results: The treated groups showed better histological results in restoring the normal structure of submandibular glands cells which appeared well defined with reduced vacuolation. On ultrastructural level, treated groups revealed euchromatic nuclei, slightly dilated cisternae of rER and numerous secretory granules. Ginger group showed better results compared to L-carnitine group.
Conclusions: Ginger and L-carnitine can be used as adjuvant treatment in management of DM as they are safe, inexpensive supplements. However, Ginger can be prescribed as a prophylactic antioxidant in healthy individuals as it resulted in better amelioration in the glandular structure.