Effect of curcumin on rat sublingual gland exposed to cyclophosphamide

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of cyclophosphamide (CY) on the sublingual glands of 12 weeks old rats, as well as possible efficacy of curcumin (CR) on morphometrical change in these tissues. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly selected and divided into five group of seven rats as: control (Con), olive (OV), CY, CR, and CY+CR. The mean volumes of sublingual gland structures and the number of mucous and serous cells were estimated using stereological method. Results: We found that the number of mucous and serous cells was significantly decreased in the CY group than the Con group. The total volume of mucous acini, serous acini, and intercalated ducts, as well volume fraction ratio of mucous acini to stroma was significantly decreased in the CY group than the Con group. By the contrary, there was a significant increase in the total volume of stroma in the CY group when compared with the Con group). In the CY+CR group, the number of mucous cells and serous cells was significantly higher than the CY group. Conclusion: We speculated that CY treatment caused a detrimental effect on the sublingual gland tissues, and that administration of CR also ameliorated the changes induced by CY.