Effect of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) on the regeneration of salivary glands in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model.

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex condition, with salivary gland malfunction being one of its complications. The management of the disease presents numerous side effects. Consequently, botanical products have been proposed as a promising alternative for the development of safe and effective treatments.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of chia seeds (Salvia hispanica L.) as a potential therapeutic tool for alleviating the deleterious effects of DM in albino rats.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The study sample comprised 66 male albino rats. Group I (n = 6) received a saline solution, group II (n = 30) was subjected to diabetic induction via a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ), and group III (n = 30) was subjected to diabetic induction and treated with 250 mg/ kg/day of powdered chia seeds for 2 weeks prior to the administration of STZ and until the end of the study. The rats were euthanized 45 days after the induction of DM. The parotid and mandibular mucosal glands were extracted and prepared for histological (hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)), immunohistochemical (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)) and comet assay analyses.

RESULTS

Marked degenerative changes were evident in the acini and duct architecture of the parotid and mandibular mucosal glands in group II. These findings were confirmed histologically, immunohistochemically and via the comet assay. In contrast, in group III, treatment with chia seeds resulted in the regeneration of salivary gland tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Chia seeds demonstrated antioxidant properties against DM-induced salivary gland dysfunction in albino rats.