The Effect of Cinnamon versus Atorvastatin on the Submandibular Salivary Gland of Hypercholesterolemic Albino Rats (Histological, Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural study)

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia refers to elevated cholesterol levels in the blood, and statin family compounds are essential synthetic medications for treating this condition. Plant extracts, such as cinnamon, were used to treat various diseases, researchs showing that cinnamon significantly reduces blood triglycerides and total cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol levels.

Objectives: The present study's goal was to compare the effect of Cinnamon versus Atorvastatin on the submandibular salivary gland of hypercholesterolemic albino rats.

Materials and Methods: There were two groups of twenty-eight male albino rats. (1) Control group: rats were kept on a normal diet, (2) Experimental groups: Hypercholesterolemic group: rats fed with hypercholesterolemic rich diet for 4 months, Atorvastatin and Cinnamon groups: rats were given Atorvastatin tablets and Cinnamon powder at the beginning of the third month with a dose of 10 mg/kg BW. and 6mg \ Kg. B.W. respectively. Sections 5 mm thick of the submandibular salivary glands were examined histologically, ultra-structurally, and immunologically through assessment of anti-Caspase Ⅲ immune antibody.

Results: The group with high cholesterol showed marked degenerative changes in parenchymal elements of the submandibular salivary gland, while the Atorvastatin and Cinnamon groups showed a marked enhancing effect in the histological structure of the rat’s submandibular gland.

Conclusion: Administration of Atorvastatin as a synthetic line of treatment for hypercholesterolemia positively affected submandibular gland tissue and the cholesterol level in the blood. As a natural herbal line of treatment Cinnamon enhanced the histological and ultrastructure picture of the submandibular gland, level of caspase III in addition to blood cholesterol levels in hypercholesteraemic rats