Alteration of Sublingual Gland after Exposure to 6-Mercaptopurine in Male Rat: Potential Efficacy of Propolis

Objective: Chemotherapeutic drugs not only have a therapeutic effect, but also cause serious damage to healthy organs. In this study, we investigated on the possible efficacy of propolis (PS) on the sublingual gland tissues exposed to 6-mercaptopurine (6MR) in male rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were allocated to four groups: control (KON), PS, 6MR, 6MR+PS. At 12 days of trial, sublingual glands of all rats were immediately dissected and analysed using the stereological technique and histological examination. Results: Our findings revealed a significant increase in the total volume of stroma and significant decrease in the total volume of the total volumes of mucous acini, straited ducts, interlobular ducts, and intralobular ducts in the 6MR group than the KON group (p<0.05). A significant decrease was also found in the mucous cell number and the serous cell number in the 6MR group than the KON group (p<0.05). In the 6MR+PS group, we observed that the total volume of stroma, as well as the mucous cell number and the serous cell number were increased compared to the 6MR group (p<0.05). Besides, the total volumes of mucous acini, straited ducts, interlobular ducts, and intralobular ducts were significantly increased in the 6MR+PS group than the 6MR group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that 6MR treatment caused toxicity in sublingual gland tissues, as well as PS application improved such changes in sublingual glands exposed to 6MR.