Ciprofloxacin (CPFX®) is potent fluoroquinolone but has severe side effects. Cinnamon (CIN) and chia seeds are potent antioxidants. The current work aimed to compare the effect of CIN extract and chia seeds on CPFX®-treated submandibular salivary glands (SMGs). Thirty-two male albino rats were divided into four groups: Group 1: received saline. Group 2: received CPFX®. Group 3: received CIN extract after 4 h of CPFX® administration. Group 4: received ground chia seeds after 4 h of CPFX® administration. After 10 days, histological, histochemical, and ultrastructural examinations were done. Different examinations illustrated normal features of SMG in Groups 1 and 3. Group 2 showed degenerative signs. Group 4 showed normal features in some areas. Statistical results illustrated that Group 2 had highest mean vacuolation area%. Highest mean of PAS optical density (OD) was for Group 2. Concerning mercuric bromophenol blue stain OD; Group 1 showed highest mean OD. CPFX® has the deteriorative effect on SMG structure and ultrastructure. It leads to increased levels of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and decreased levels of total proteins. CIN extract showed more ameliorative effect compared to chia seeds.

An in vivo study was performed to evaluate the use of pulsed-dye laser beam for the fragmentation of salivary calculus. In accordance with the absorption and reflection spectra of sections of salivary stones, optimal fragmentation was achieved with a pulsed-dye laser with a pulse width of 1.4 μm and tuned to a wavelength of 504 nm. Further studies on particle size were conducted, and a new “sialoendoscope” technique was developed. Fifteen patients with sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland were treated. Under continuous endoscopic monitoring laser-induced shock wave lithotripsy was performed. In six patients complete fragmentation and removal of the salivary stones was achieved and in another patient 50 per cent fragmentation was sufficient to restore salivary flow. Laser lithotripsy of salivary stones with endoscopic monitoring permits treatment on an outpatient basis with little inconvenience to the patient, and this is a breakthrough in otolaryngology.