Evaluation of the protective properties and genotoxic potential of pyrazolo pyridine derivatives against neutron and gamma radiation using the Ames/Salmonella test system

Abstract

Purpose

Nuclear applications are being increasingly used in various fields, necessitating studies to protect from radiation hazards and their effects. In this study, five different chemical structures of pyrazolo [3,4-b] pyridine derivatives were synthesized. The gamma and neutron radiation protective abilities of these samples were determined and demonstrated their potential use as ingredients in radioprotective drugs.

Material and methods

Gamma radiation absorption parameters were calculated both theoretical and experimental. Important attenuation parameters for fast neutrons (4.5 MeV energy radiation) were figured out using the Monte Carlo simulation Geant4 code. Additionally, experimental dose rates were measured for each sample and compared to those of Paraffin and high-density polyethylene, an organic substance. Besides, Ames/Salmonella test system was aimed to detecting genotoxicity features of pyrazolo pyridine derivatives.

Results

All results demonstrated that each sample possesses both gamma and neutron radiation attenuation capabilities. It was determined that sample PPC4 (C₂₀H₁₄BrN₅) exhibited the highest gamma radiation attenuation capacity among all samples, while sample PPC2 (C₂₂H₂₀N₆) displayed an excellent neutron stopping capacity. The genotoxic properties of pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridine derivatives were examined using the Ames/Salmonella test, and as a result, it was determined that these substances did not exhibit genotoxic effects at test doses up to 5 mM.

Conclusion

All obtained results indicate that all PPC (pyrazolo[3,4-b] pyridine derivatives) samples do not possess a toxic effect, and they can be utilized as an active substance for the development of a drug or cream with protective properties against both gamma and neutron radiations.

Keywords:

• Genotoxicity
• pyrazolopyridine
• radiation
• radioprotector

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The synthesis phase of this study was supported by the Yildiz Technical University Scientific Research Project Coordinator’s project numbered FYL-2021-4186. We are also grateful to the Central Research and Application Laboratory of Agri Ibrahim Cecen University and Molecular Biology and Bacteriology Laboratory of the Department of Biology and Department of Physics, Ataturk University for providing the infrastructure opportunities in the experimental part of the study.

Notes on contributors

Bünyamin Aygün

Bünyamin Aygün, PhD, is an Associate Professor, Department of Electronics and Automation, Vocational School, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Agri, Türkiye

Burak Alaylar

Burak Alaylar, PhD, is an Associate Professor, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Agri Ibrahim Cecen University, Agri, Türkiye.

Kadir Turhan

Kadir Turhan, PhD, is an Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Sciences, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Mehmet Karadayı

Mehmet Karadayı, PhD, is an Assistan Professor, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Türkiye

Esra Cinan

Esra Cinan, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Türkiye.

Zuhal Turgut

Zuhal Turgut, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Sciences, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Türkiye.

Tansu Sezer

Tansu Sezer, MSc, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Sciences, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Türkiye

Vedat Sola

Vedat Sola, MSc, Horasan Vocational School, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkiye

Taha Yasin Koc

Taha Yasin Koç, PhD student, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Türkiye.

Abdulhalik Karabulut

Abdulhalik Karabulut, PhD, is a Professor, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Türkiye.