BIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF CINNAMON EXTRACT VS. DIAZEPAM ON SUBMANDIBULAR SALIVARY GLANDS OF STRESSED ALBINO RATS.

Background and Objective: Cinnamon extract and diazepam found to have an ameliorative impact against anxiety influenced changes in salivary glands. Thus, this study was conducted to demonstrate and compare the possible biological impact of cinnamon extract versus diazepam upon submandibular salivary glands of stressed albino rats. Material and Methods: Forty eight adult male albino rats, were divided randomly into 4 equal groups; negative control group I, group II, III & IV rats were subjected to chronic restraint stress 6 hours daily for 15 days. The rats of groups III and IV were concomitantly received cinnamon oil extract or diazepam respectively. Six rat of each group were euthanized on 16th day while the rest was euthanized on 30th day. The specimens from submandibular salivary glands were prepared for staining with H&E, iNOS stains and NT-3 gene expression via RT-PCR. The obtained data were tabulated, coded then analyzed using SPSS. Results: Control group revealed normal structural and architectural features of normal salivary glands. Groups II, III and IV showed variable atrophic changes of acini and ductal cells after 16th day. While, on 30th day, salivary glands showed up about with typical histological features. The highest level of iNOS and NT-3 gene expression was observed in group II at the two examination periods. Statistically, there was an overall significant difference between all groups in relation to all studied parameters. Conclusion: Cinnamon extract could protect or delay various neurodegenerative disorders. Also, it may be a valuable alternative for diazepam in management of stress-induced changes.