title: Comparison of the therapeutic effects of the dietary and topical forms of Zizyphus jujuba extract on oral mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil: A golden hamster model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oral mucositis (OM) is a common inflammatory complication among cancerous patients as an adverse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and identify the appropriate route of administration of extract of Zizyphus jujuba in 5-flurouracile induced OM induction in golden hamster.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective randomized double blind animal study, OM was induced in 56 male golden hamsters by 5-FU (60 mg/kg) on days 0, 5, and 10 of the study. The cheek pouch was scratched with a sterile needle on once daily on days 3 and 4. On days 14-17, 300 mg/kg dietary and 20% Z. jujuba gel and gel base groups were treated and then compared with a control group. Microscopic scores and pouch content of malondialdehyde (MDA), plus activities of superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase in pouch tissue were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Histopathology scores of mucositis were lower in the systemic and 20% Z. jujuba gel groups than the gel base and control groups (P<0.05). Also, lower MDA level and higher activities of MPO and SOD were detected in the systemic and 20% Z. jujuba gel groups in comparison to the gel base and control groups (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of Z. jujuba hydroalcoholic extract in systemic and topical forms may be associated with reduced intensity of OM, diminished concentration of MDA, and increased activity of MPO and SOD on induced OM in golden hamster undergoing 5-FU consumption. Key words:Oral mucositis, 5-flurouracil, Zizyphus jujube, oxidative stress, histopathology score.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animals Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Omid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Koohi-Hosseinabadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andisheh-Tadbir
authors.affiliation: Students' Research Committee, School of Dentistry, International Branch, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bahadori
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Masood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sepehrimanesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mardani
authors.affiliation: Stem Cell and Transgenic Technology Research Center and Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Nader
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanideh