Effect of Propolis on Induced Alveolar Bone Loss in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Periodontitis is the 6th classic complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Both Diabetes & periodontitis are chronic inflammatory diseases. As DM accelerates bone resorption; when periodontal disease affects a diabetic individual, extensive alveolar bone loss occurs. Propolis is a natural antibiotic & anti-inflammatory agent that honey bees (Apis mellifera) collect from tree buds or other botanical sources; and use in the construction as well as the protection of their hives. Due to its broad pharmacological potential, propolis has been employed extensively in medicine, since ancient times. Objective: Was to evaluate the effect of systemic administration of propolis on the alveolar bone loss, induced by periodontitis, in diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Twenty-four Albino rats were divided into three equal groups: group (1) normal control (NC), group (2) Diabetes + Periodontitis (DP) and group (3) Diabetes + Periodontitis + Propolis (DP-Pro). DM type 1was induced in rats of groups (2) and (3), by single intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin. Then, periodontitis was induced by ligature placement sub marginally around the right mandibular 1st molar. In group (3), propolis was administrated systemically by gastric feeding 400mg/Kg/day for 8weeks. At the end of this period, animals were sacrificed and dissected. The alveolar bone surface integrity interproximally was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and results were compared between groups. Results: After 2 months, group (2) showed more alveolar bone loss compared to the 2 other groups. Groups (1) & (3) showed an intact, smooth & regular bone surface, while group (2) specimens showed an irregular & porous bone surface with extensive resorption. Conclusion: This study showed that the systemic administration of propolis effectively prevented the extensive alveolar bone loss associated with experimental periodontitis in diabetic rat models. Thus, propolis might be used as an adjunctive treatment for periodontitis associated with Diabetes.