Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of clomipramine and sertraline on the histological structure of the rat submandibular salivary gland. Methods: Thirty-six adult male albino rats were divided into three equal groups, each comprising 12 rats. Group I served as the control group. Group II received a daily oral dose of clomipramine that was equivalent to the therapeutic dose (equivalent to 25 mg/kg) for eight weeks. Group III received sertraline (equivalent to 30 mg/kg). Three rats from each group were sacrificed, and their submandibular salivary glands were dissected, prepared, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The stained samples were examined under a light microscope. Results: The administration of either drug induced degenerative and atrophic changes in the submandibular salivary gland. These changes were more evident in the samples from rats that received clomipramine than in those that received sertraline. The degenerative and atrophic changes in the submandibular salivary glands of the rats that received clomipramine were pronounced and progressive while in the sertraline group, they were mild and ceased after four weeks. Conclusion: Sertraline proved to be preferable over clomipramine because it has less deleterious effects on the submandibular salivary gland.