ABSTRACT
Fluoride has long been recognized as one of the best health measures in the prevention of dental caries. Excessive exposure to fluoride may induce undesirable effects on various body organs. Ginseng is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines with a wide range of beneficial therapeutic effects. To evaluate the histological changes in rat submandibular gland that might result from exposure to sodium fluoride and the possible protective role of ginseng. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups: control group, ginsengtreated group, fluoride-treated group, and the fourth group was concomitantly treated with both ginseng and fluoride. The animals were treated orally once daily for 4 weeks. Specimens from the submandibular glands were processed for light and electron microscopy. The myoepithelial cells were demonstrated immunohistochemically using alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody and the results were statistically analyzed. Specimens from fluoride-treated animals showed disarrangement of acinar cells, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and nuclear irregularity. The intralobular ducts showed disorganization of the lining epithelial cells with vacuolated cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei. Ultrastructurally, focal separation of some acinar cells, disarrangement of rough endoplasmic reticulum, huge secondary lysosomes, swollen mitochondria, and coalescence of secretory granules were observed in some cells. Immunohistochemical study showed a highly significant increase in the immunoreaction at the periphery of the acini, intercalated ducts, and striated ducts. In contrast, minimal changes were observed in rats concomitantly treated by both ginseng and fluoride with a nonsignificant increase in the immunoreaction. Long-term exposure to fluoride could induce structural changes in rat submandibular gland, which could be partially minimized by concomitant treatment with ginseng