The Potential Ameliorative Effects of Flaxseeds on Methotrexate-induced Oxidative and Inflammatory Changes in the Tongue of Albino Rats

Oral mucositis is one of the significant complications of methotrexate. It is a form of stomatitis, which refers to ulceration and inflammation of the mucosal tissue.

In this study, 30 male albino rats were included, and they were divided into 3 groups. Group I received 0.6 ml distilled water for 8 consecutive days, with an injection of 0.5 ml saline on day 4. Group II received 0.6 ml distilled water for 8 consecutive days, with an injection of 60 mg/kg b.w of methotrexate on day 4. In group III, 200mg/kg/mL of flaxseeds dissolved in 0.6 ml distilled water were administered for 8 consecutive days, with an injection of 60 mg/kg b.w of methotrexate on day 4. At the end of the 8^th day, rats were immolated, and their tongues were dissected and processed for inspection by H&E stain, CD3, and PCNA.

Histological and immunohistochemical results of group II disclosed pronounced deteriorative alternations in the tongues of rats, whereas, in group III, renewal of tongue tissue was observed after treatment with flaxseeds. Moreover, the statistical analysis revealed high immunoreactivity of CD3 in the methotrexate group compared to the control and flax seeds group and low immunoreactivity of PCNA in the methotrexate group compared to the control and flax seeds group.

Considering the previous results, the study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and anti-mucositis effects of flaxseeds on the lingual mucosa of MTX-treated rats.

Flaxseeds exhibited a reduction in histopathological impairment associated with methotrexate administration in the tongue tissues, with accompanying anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities that can overcome the deleterious effect of methotrexate on mucosa.