Assessment of the protective effects of virgin coconut oil and propolis against methotrexate-induced toxicity in sublingual salivary glands of albino rats

Zaki, Nada; Fathi, Elham; Hegazy, Enas Mahmoud; Magdy, Reham

doi:10.21608/dsu.2025.375817.1297

Assessment of the protective effects of virgin coconut oil and propolis against methotrexate-induced toxicity in sublingual salivary glands of albino rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Oral biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, British University in Egypt.

² Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University

³ Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Ain Shams University

10.21608/dsu.2025.375817.1297

Abstract

Introduction: Methotrexate is an antimetabolite drug that is used as anti-cancerous
drug which can cause cell damage by weakening the body’s antioxidant defenses.
Antioxidants like propolis and virgin coconut oil may help protect against this damage
by reducing oxidative stress caused by MTX administration. Aim: This study aimed
to evaluate the protective effect of propolis and virgin coconut oil (VCO) against
toxicity induced by methotrexate (MTX) on sublingual salivary glands. Materials and
Methods: Fifty rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups (n=10), Group
1 (Control): Rats received saline by oral gavage for 17 days. Group 2 (MTX): Rats were
injected intraperitoneally (Ip) with MTX (20 mg/kg) on day 14 only. Group 3 (Propolis
and MTX): Rats were administered propolis by oral gavage at a dose of 100 mg/kg/
day for 17 days and injected (Ip) with MTX (20 mg/kg) on day 14. Group 4 (VCO and
MTX): Rats were administered VCO by oral gavage at a dose of 5 ml/kg body weight
for 17 days, with MTX (20 mg/kg) injected (Ip) on day 14. Group 5 (VCO, Propolis,
and MTX): Rats received propolis (100 mg/kg/day) and VCO (5 ml/kg) for 17 days,
with MTX (20 mg/kg) injected (Ip) on day 14. Results: This study revealed that both
propolis and VCO effectively reduce MTX-induced cytotoxicity on sublingual glands.
Propolis preserved gland structure and reduced caspase-3 immunoexpression, while
VCO maintained gland architecture and blood vessel integrity leading to a decrease in
caspase-3 levels. Combined, they provided protective effects similar to those observed
in the control group. Conclusion: These findings suggest propolis and VCO could serve
as complementary therapies durin

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