Effects of Artesunate on Salivary Secretion in A Model of Type 1 Diabetic Xerostomia

Research Article

Effects of Artesunate on Salivary Secretion in A Model of Type 1 Diabetic Xerostomia

  • Biyun Gao *
  • Girju Rajbanshi
  • Bingge Wang
  • Cheng Liang
  • Hairong Wang
  • Xiaolin Nong

College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, PR China.

*Corresponding Author: Biyun Gao, College of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, PR China.

Citation: Gao B, Rajbanshi G, Wang B, Liang C, Wang H, et al. (2025). Effects of Artesunate on Salivary Secretion in A Model of Type 1 Diabetic Xerostomia, Dentistry and Oral Health Care, BioRes Scientia Publishers. 4(3):1-18. DOI: 10.59657/2993-0863.brs.25.052

Copyright: © 2025 Biyun Gao, this is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Received: October 29, 2025 | Accepted: November 12, 2025 | Published: November 19, 2025

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of artesunate on type 1 diabetes mellitus-induced xerostomia and the secretory function of rat submandibular gland acinar cells under hyperglycemic conditions. 

Designs: Submandibular glands were excised for histopathological assessment, periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining, and immunohistochemical analysis of aquaporin 5(AQP5) and amylase (AMY) protein expression, supplemented by RT-PCR and Western blot for AQP5, AMY and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Salivary acinar cells were cultured in vitro in a high-glucose environment. Flow cytometry for AQP5 and AMY and Western blot (WB) detection for MAPK were performed.

Results: Histological examination revealed that artesunate with insulin intervention group (ART+INS) treatment mitigated inflammatory infiltration and enhanced granule secretion. The ART+INS group showed an increase in PAS-positive substances. Protein expression of AQP5 and AMY was notably elevated in the intervention group. Western blot analysis indicated a decreased expression of MAPK, with a more pronounced reduction in the ART+INS group compared to the ART group alone (p < 0.05). Flow cytometry results showed an increase in AQP5 positive expression in SMG cells following ART, INS and ART+INS interventions in the diabetes mellitus (DM) group (p < 0.05). 

Conclusion: ART or its combination therapy with insulin is suggested to alleviate DM-induced xerostomia and downregulate MAPK expression in Submandibular gland (SMG) cells under hyperglycemic conditions.


Keywords: type 1 diabetes; xerostomia; artesunate; oral flora; salivary secretion

References