Comparative Immunohistochemical Assessment of the Effects of Chitosan and Curcumin on dorsal surface of tongue mucosa of albino rats fed on high-fat diet:Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Introduction: High-fat diet consumption results in raised levels of cholesterol inthe blood with a massive effect on tongue mucosa, according to previous research.Recently it was claimed that using natural products such as curcumin and chitosan hasthe potential to decrease cholesterol levels, which positively affects the dorsal surfaceof the tongue. Aim: This work purposed to assist the effects of curcumin and chitosanas a natural product on the dorsal surface of tongue mucosa of albino rats fed on ahigh-fat diet. Materials and Methods: 40 rats were divided into 2 main groups (1– control group: received normal diet and distilled water, 2 – experimental groups:divided into 3 subgroups: 2-A received High fat diet and Cholesterol powder (10gr),2-B curcumin treated group at the beginning of the fourth month with 1.5 g curcumin/kg powder dissolved in distilled water, and 2-C chitosan treated group at the beginningof the fourth month with 500 mg/ Kg. BW Chitosan tab which added to a distilledwater in a concentration of 10% (curcumin and chitosan were administered to rats viagastric tube). Cholesterol level in blood was measured at days 0, 90 and 120. Ratswere euthanised at the end of 4 months, and tongue specimens were processed forhistological and immunohistochemical evaluation. All data were statistically analysedusing a one-way ANOVA (F) test with a post hoc test (Tukey). Results: A high-fatdiet caused degeneration to the tongue’s dorsal surface; treatment with curcuminand chitosan showed a better histological effect compared with high fat diet group.Chitosan showed near-normal papillae structure with partial muscle regeneration.Conclusions: A high-fat diet induces cytotoxic effects on tongue mucosa, whilecurcumin and chitosan demonstrate protective potential.