Innovative Dual Therapy: Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles and Royal Jelly for Parotid Gland Protection in Diabetic Male Rats.

PURPOSE: Nanoparticles and natural products have gained attention for their beneficial properties, but limited studies exist on the co-administration of these two therapeutic agents. In this study, both magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs) and royal jelly (RJ) were evaluated for their protective potential against parotid gland damage in induced diabetic rats through the investigation of their antidiabetic, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 64 male rats were divided into 8 groups: control group, MgO NPs treated group (300mg/kg/day), RJ treated group (100mg/kg/day), streptozotocin-induced diabetic group, diabetic group and concomitant MgO NPs, diabetic group and concomitant RJ, diabetic group and co-administration of both MgO NPs and RJ, and diabetic group and concomitant metformin (100mg/kg/day). After 8 weeks, the rats of all groups were anaesthetized, and blood was drawn to estimate different diabetic parameters. Saliva was collected to determine the salivary parameters. The parotid glands were excised and cut into pieces, where half was frozen for further biochemical investigations (oxidative stress and inflammatory markers) and the other assessed for histological and immunohistochemical changes. RESULTS: The administration of either MgO NPs or RJ to diabetic rats significantly improved the diabetic parameters and nearly restored the salivary and oxidative stress parameters to control values. There was a significant improvement in the histological and immunohistochemical alterations in the parotid gland. CONCLUSION: Both MgO NPs and RJ were effective in protecting the parotid gland from damage in the diabetic rats. These effects were even more profound when the two agents were administered together.