Protective Effect of Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC on Radiation-Induced Damage in Mice

Abstract

The radioprotective effect of Biophytum sensitivum methanol extract was studied using in vivo mice model . Animals were exposed to whole body gamma irradiation (6 Gy/animal) after treatment with B. sensitivum (50mg/kg b.wt.) followed by estimation of cytosolic enzymes, level of antioxidants, hematological parameters, bone marrow cellular progenitors, serum cytokine levels and spleen hematopoietic colonies. Administration of B. sensitivum could reduce the enhanced level of ALP, GPT and LPO levels in irradiated animals. B. sensitivum could significantly enhance the glutathione (GSH) content in liver and intestinal mucosa of irradiated animals. B. sensitivum treatment could enhance the Total WBC count, cellularity of bone marrow, alpha-esterase positive cells, and relative organ weight of spleen as well as thymus. The number of hematopoietic colonies on the surface of the spleen was found to be enhanced after B. sensitivum treatment. B. sensitivum treatment could also stimulate the production of cytokines such as IL-1β, IFN-γ and GM-CSF in animals exposed to whole body gamma irradiation. The present investigation suggests that the protective effect of Biophytum sensitivum on Radiation-Induced hemopoietic damage is mediated through immunomodulation as well as sequential induction of IL-1β, GM-CSF and IFN-γ.

Keywords:

• Radioprotection
• Biophytum Sensitivum
• Reduced Glutathione
• Lipid Peroxidation
• Bone Marrow
• Cytokines
• CFU-S

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors thank Ramadasan Kuttan, Director of Amala Cancer Research Centre, for his support during this study. We also thank Murugan Muthuvel, Cobalt Unit, Amala Cancer Research Centre for providing the necessary irradiation facilities and help in radiation dosimetry.