# Histopathological and ultrastructure alterations in tongue and parotid tissues of rats in consequence to long-term alcohol intoxication and ameliorative role of 10-dehydrogingerdione

## TL;DR

This study shows that long-term alcohol use harms rat tongue and parotid tissues, but 10-dehydrogingerdione can help reduce these effects.

## Contribution

The study introduces 10-dehydrogingerdione as a potential therapeutic agent for alcohol-induced oral tissue damage.

## Key findings

- Alcohol caused destructive changes in tongue and parotid tissues of rats.
- 10-DHGD reduced ultrastructural and histopathological damage caused by alcohol.
- Ki-67 expression was significantly decreased in alcohol-treated groups.

## Abstract

Alcoholism adversely affects oral health, leading to issues such as dental caries, gingivitis, and oropharyngeal cancers. One notable oral effect is glossitis, which manifested as tongue inflammation. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to sialadenosis, disrupting salivary gland function.

This study aimed to demonstrate how alcohol intoxication induces histopathological and ultrastructural degenerative alterations in the tongue and parotid tissues of experimental rats and the therapeutic potential of 10-dehydrogingerdione (10-DHGD).

A total of 40 albino male rats were categorized equally into four groups for the purpose of investigation. The control group received no medication. For 45 days, the alcohol-treated group was given ethyl alcohol daily orally at a rate of 3.7 g/kg body weight; 10-DHGD-treated group was given a daily orally dosage of 10 mg/kg of freshly prepared extract; and the last group was administered a combination of alcohol and 10-DHGD. Histopathological analysis was performed in all the groups, while Ki-67 was used as an immunohistochemical investigation for any nuclear proliferative activity. Additionally, a transmission electron microscope (TEM) ultrastructural assessment was carried out.

The alcohol-treated group displayed destructive alterations in their tongue and parotid tissues. 10-DHGD intake in combination with alcohol ameliorated such alterations to a certain extent. When comparing the alcohol-treated group’s tissues to those of the other groups under inquiry, an immunohistochemical analysis showed a highly significant decrease in Ki-67 expression. In addition, TEM examination of alcohol examined groups revealed fragmented myofibrils of the muscle of the tongue with dilated RER and swollen mitochondria in both the tongue and parotid samples, which were minimized by concomitant 10-DHGD ingestion.

Long-term alcohol intake provoked intoxication in oral tissues, and 10-DHGD treatment dramatically ameliorated these deteriorating consequences.

Long-term alcohol intake builds up toxic metabolites in oral cavity

Structural morphology of tongue and parotid tissues can be disrupted by alcoholism

Zingiber officinale extracts are sources of natural bioactive nutraceuticals

10-dehydrogingerdione may provoke potent ameliorative effects

Regenerative response of oral tissues can be modulated by 10-dehydrogingerdione