Radiation-induced hematopoietic myelosuppression and genotoxicity get significantly countered by active principles of Podophyllum hexandrum: A study in strain ‘A’ mice

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the protective role of a novel formulation, prepared by a combination of three active principles isolated from Podophyllum hexandrum (G-002M), against radiation- mediated hematopoietic suppression and cytogenetic aberrations in lethally irradiated mice.

Materials and methods: G-002M, a combination of podophyllotoxin, podophyllotoxin-β-D glucoside and rutin, was administered intramuscularly in mice (− 1 h) to radiation (9 Gy) exposure. The animals were autopsied at different time intervals for further studies.

Results: Loss of bone marrow progenitor cells, altered myeloid/erythroid ratio, serum erythropoietin and pancytopenia in irradiated mice was found significantly (p < 0.001) ameliorated in G-002M pre-administered mice within 30 d. Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) and BAX (Bcl-2-associated X) protein expression was also positively (p < 0.001) countered in these mice. Chromosomal aberrations in 30 d were found remarkably (p < 0.001) reduced in marrow of G-002M pretreated mice. Accelerated antioxidants, reduced DNA damage, stimulated lymphocyte proliferation and minimal cellular atrophy in spleen were some of the other key features observed in G-002M administered mice.

Conclusions: Reduction in hematopoietic aplasia and chromosomal aberrations, besides, early recovery in bone marrow and spleen of G-002M pretreated mice, could be attributed to its free radical scavenging, DNA protecting and apoptotic proteins modulating ability against radiation.

Keywords::

• Podophyllum hexandrum
• ionizing radiation
• radioprotection
• chromosomal aberrations
• micronuclei
• erythropoietin

Acknowledgements

The research work was funded by Defence Research Development and Organization (DRDO), New Delhi, India (No. INM-311/1.1/2009-2014). The authors duly acknowledge Dr R. P. Tripathi, Director INMAS, for his administrative support. The authors also appreciate the assistance of Ms Tanushree Yadav for experimental work.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.