HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF PROPOLIS ON GINGIVAL TISSUE OF ALBINO RAT

Aim The aim of the present work was to study the proliferative and maturative influence of propolis on the gingival tissues in rats using routine H&E stain and immunohistochemical detection of any possible changes in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and E- cadherin in the surface epithelium of the gingiva so that ,we get an answer for the question; Is it beneficial if the dentist use propolis as a constituent of surgical dressing as well as mouth wash?
Materials and methods Thirty adult male albino rats with 120-150 gram body weight were used in this investigation. The animals were divided into 2 groups 15 animals each;
Group I animals served as controls, and supplied with a daily oral dose of 1ml distilled water. Group II animals were treated with propolis in a daily oral dose of 50 mg/kg body weight using curved metallic oro-pharyngeal tube. Propolis tablets were dissolved in distilled water to a concentration of 5mg/1ml. The animals were fed natural diet and given drinking water adlibitum throughout the whole experimental period, which lasted for 3 months. At the end of the experiment, the animals of both groups were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. gingival Specimens of both sides were taken from the region of the first molars, The specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, processed to be embedded in paraffin. Six microns thick sections were cut and stained Hematoxylin and eosin stain for histological detection any structural changes in the epithelium, lamina propria. Immunohistochemical staining procedure using a- The universal dakocytomationlabeled streptavidin- biotin system horseradish peroxidase enzyme for detection of any possible changes in (PCNA) of the surface epithelium. b- The ultravesion mouse tissue detection system using antimouse monoclonal antibody for demonstration of E- cadherin to detect any possible changes.
Results The present work revealed that supplementation of propolis to the rats may activate the proliferation, regeneration and maturation of the epithelial cells the gingival tissue and improve vascularity and organization of collagen fibers of gingival subepithelial lamina propria
Conclusion Propolis solution enhances the integrity and barrier function of the gingival epithelial cells and collagen fiber, thus it increases the viability and physiological health of gingival cells.
Recommendation Propolis is recommended to be used as a beneficial constituent of mouth wash and surgical dressing after fulfilling all the required investigations on human.