Journal Article

Investigation of the effects of benznidazole on the salivary glands: A biochemical, morphological, and functional approach

Lima-da-Silva, Emanuelly Camilly Soares de, Matos-Sousa, José Mario, Chagas, Cristian Kallahan Silva, Chaves-Neto, Antonio Hernandes, Lima, Rafael Rodrigues, Mendes, Paulo Fernando Santos, Melo, Wallacy Watson Pereira, Pereira, Cristian dos Santos, Morais, Hannah Gil de Farias, Freitas, Roseana de Almeida

2025

Overview

This study aimed to evaluate the possible biochemical effects of the administration of benznidazole on the parotid and submandibular salivary glands and saliva of rats, as well as on salivary components for the first time. Male Wistar rats ( Rattus norvegicus ), 66-days-old, weighing approximately 250 g were randomized into two groups: control, administered distilled water by gavage and benznidazole, administered benznidazole at a dose of 19.6 mg/kg daily by gavage over 15 days. On the 16th day, the animals were anaesthetized and the parotid and submandibular salivary glands and saliva were collected for oxidative biochemistry and morphometric analyses, and the biochemical composition of the saliva was also assessed. On the 16th day, the animals were anesthetized and their pilocarpine-induced saliva was collected. They were then euthanized to collect the parotid and submandibular salivary glands for oxidative biochemical and morphometric analyses, and the biochemical composition of the saliva was also assessed. Shapiro–Wilk normality analysis and Student’s t-test was used for parametric data and non-parametric data, respectively, with a significance of p < 0.05. The oxidative biochemical results revealed a reduction in the antioxidant capacity of the parotid and submandibular glands in benznidazole group. Morphometric analyses revealed an increase in the average area of the acini in both glands and a reduction in the stromal area of the parotid gland in the benznidazole group. Salivary analyses demonstrated a decrease in antioxidant levels and an increase in pro-oxidant levels in the group exposed to benznidazole. Total proteins, amylase, and mucin levels reduced in the exposed group. Thus, administration of benznidazole conclusively caused biochemical alterations in the antioxidant and morphological capacities of the salivary glands, followed by biochemical and protein alterations in the saliva, highlighting the possible damage caused by the drug in patients during the treatment of Chagas disease.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Animals / Antioxidants / Antioxidants - metabolism / Benznidazole / Biochemical composition / Biochemistry / Biology and Life Sciences / Chagas disease / Chemical properties / Distilled water / Drug dosages / Exocrine glands / Laboratory animals / Lipids / Male / Medicine and Health Sciences / Metabolites / Mortality / Nitroimidazoles - pharmacology / Oral hygiene / Oxidants / Oxidative Stress - drug effects / Oxidizing agents / Parasites / Parasitic diseases / Parotid gland / Parotid Gland - drug effects / Parotid Gland - metabolism / Physiological aspects / Pilocarpine / Proteins / Rats / Rats, Wistar / Reactive oxygen species / Saliva / Saliva - chemistry / Saliva - drug effects / Saliva - metabolism / Salivary gland / Salivary glands / Salivary Glands - drug effects / Salivary Glands - metabolism / Submandibular Gland - drug effects / Submandibular Gland - metabolism / Trypanocidal Agents - pharmacology / Vector-borne diseases