Coenzyme Q10 mitigates methotrexate induced salivary gland injury via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms

Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used as a chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive agent; however, its clinical use is often associated with salivary gland (SG) toxicity, primarily mediated by oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a potent antioxidant, has been proposed as a protective agent against drug-induced tissue injury. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of CoQ10 against MTX-induced SG damage through biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural assessments. Forty adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, CoQ10-treated, MTX-treated, and MTX + CoQ10-treated groups. MTX was administered intraperitoneally at 20 mg/kg/week, while CoQ10 was given orally at 100 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks. Oxidative stress markers: Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Nitric oxide (NO), antioxidant parameters: Reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and pro-inflammatory cytokines:tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were assessed.