Effects of menthol-flavored substances at the cellular level on oral mucosal sites.

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of menthol-flavored substances at the cellular level in different mucosal sites of the oral cavity and to compare the cellular changes between individuals without the habit of chewing menthol-flavored substances and individuals with the habit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was an experimental cytology study including a total of 500 individuals belonging to the age group of 18-45 years based on the inclusion or exclusion criteria. The selected participants were divided into two groups of 250 participants each, based on participants not having the habit of chewing menthol-flavored substances (Group I) and participants having the habit of chewing menthol-flavored substances (Group II). Cytological smears were taken by gently scraping the mucosal surfaces in different sites of the oral mucosa using a wooden spatula and stained with Papanicolaou, analyzed under microscope for any cellular changes. The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Micronuclei seen in all the participants belonging to group with the habit of chewing menthol-flavored substances with a < 0.001 which was considered highly significant. Alteration in the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio was also seen = 0.001, which showed significant at 1% significance level.

CONCLUSION

Participants with habit of chewing menthol-flavored substances showed the presence of micronuclei and slight alteration in the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, which could be directly related to genotoxicity and cell damage.