Apigenin prevents gamma radiation-induced gastrointestinal damages by modulating inflammatory and apoptotic signalling mediators

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of apigenin against radiation-induced gastrointestinal (GI) damages in whole-body irradiated (WBI) Swiss albino mice. Swiss albino mice were pre-treated with apigenin (15 mg/kg body wt.) intraperitoneally for six consecutive days, and on the seventh day, the mice were exposed to 7 Gy WBI. Histological findings revealed a deterioration of the crypt-villus architecture in the 7 Gy irradiated mice intestine. Conversely, apigenin pre-treatment ameliorated radiation-induced intestinal damages and restored intestinal crypt-villus architecture. Besides, apigenin modulates 7 Gy radiation-induced apoptotic markers (p53, p21, Bax, caspase-3, −9) expression in the GI tissue of WBI mice. Furthermore, apigenin prevented radiation-induced activation of NF-kB expression in the GI tissue. Therefore, the present results indicate apigenin’s radioprotective effect through modulating NF-kB mediated apoptotic signalling in the WBI intestinal tissue.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Apigenin
• gamma radiation
• gastrointestinal toxicity
• apoptosis

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Kamakshi Memorial Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, for providing a radiation facility.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Naziya Begum gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance awarded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) (Ref.No: 3/2/2/3/10-NCDIII, IRIS ID: 2009-08970), New Delhi, India, in the form of a Senior Research Fellowship.