Introduction: About 80% of patients receiving chemotherapeutics suffer from side effects related to the gastrointestinal tract. Irinotecan
(CPT-11) is a chemotherapeutic agent usually used in treating solid tumors. Quercetin (QRT), a biof lavonoid, is an antioxidant and
scavenger reactive oxygen species scavenger.
Objective: The current study explored the possible protective effects of QRT against mucosal tongue injury caused by CPT-11.
Methods: The study included four equal groups: group 1/control, group 2/QRT, group 3/CPT-11, and group 4/CPT-11 + QRT.
Results: CPT-11-induced tongue injury in the form of non-healed ulcers, absent lingual papillae, mononuclear cells infiltration, marked
deposition of collagen fibers, and overexpression of CD86 and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α). The increased malondialdehyde levels,
decreased superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity revealed that there was an oxidative stress. Also, there was a decreased
countenance of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 and an increased countenance of NF-κB. The QRT-treated group showed complete ulcer healing, with
histological features almost like the control group, along with minimal collagen fiber deposition, decreased reactivity to CD86 and TNFα and improvement of oxidative stress status and the molecular study results as well.
Conclusion: QRT possess protective properties against CPT-11-triggered tongue injury |
