Effect of Intraperitoneal Injection of Curcumin Nanoparticles on Parotid Salivary Glands of Diabetic Albino Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Oral Pathology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Sinai University (Arish branch), North Sinai, Egypt.

2 Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent disorder associated with deleterious oral manifestations, including decreased salivary flow resulting from atrophic changes in the salivary glands. Curcumin exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. However, its clinical utility is limited due to poor solubility and a short plasma half-life. Nanocurcumin (NC) overcomes these limitations by sustained release of nanoparticles. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of systemically administrated NC on the parotid glands of alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Twenty-four adult rats were randomly allocated into four equal groups: Control (saline injections), Diabetic-untreated (alloxan-induced diabetes, saline injections), Curcumin-treated (diabetes + curcumin), and NC-treated (diabetes + nanocurcumin). Treatments were given intraperitoneally twice daily for three weeks. At the end of the experimental period, parotid gland tissues from all groups were excised and subjected to histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Additionally, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry was performed to assess cellular proliferation. Histopathological examination revealed severe atrophic changes in the parotid gland of the diabetic-untreated group. Curcumin-treated group partially restored tissue architecture, improving acinar and ductal organization while reducing vacuolation. NC-treated group showed near-normal histological features, with well-preserved acini, minimal vacuolation, and consistent basal striations. Immunohistochemical analysis of PCNA expression demonstrated significantly enhanced cell proliferation in both curcumin (p=0.020) and NC (p<0.001) treated groups compared to the diabetic-untreated group, with NC exhibiting the highest mean PCNA expression (1.83 ± 0.72). Nanocurcumin is more effective than curcumin in mitigating diabetes-induced parotid gland damage and promoting tissue regeneration.

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Egyptian Dental Journal
Volume 71, Issue 4 - Serial Number 3
(Oral Medicine, X-Ray, Oral Biology & Oral Pathology)
October 2025
Pages 3051-3060

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