Podophyllum hexandrum prevents radiation-induced neuronal damage in postnatal rats exposed in utero.
Podophyllum hexandrum has been shown to mitigate radiation injuries and especially the haemopoietic syndrome in adult mice. To monitor the radiation-induced changes in the nervous system, the neurons of postnatal young mice and their modification by P. hexandrum, were studied histologically for differences in the apical and basal dendritic branching and intersections in the CA1 neurons of the hippocampal region of rats which were delivered a 2 Gy gamma dose while in utero (day 17 of gestation). Irradiation significantly reduced the dendritic branching and intersections but pre-irradiation administration of the extract of P. hexandrum (i.p. 200 mg/kg/b.w., 2 h) reduced the damage in postnatal young mice. These studies indicate that P. hexandrum provides protection to neurons against radiation-induced damage and the mechanism of neuronal damage and its repair need to be investigated further.
Sajikumar
S
S
Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Lucknow Marg, Delhi 110 054, India.
Goel
H C
HC
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D003712:Dendrites / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011035:Podophyllum; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects
D010936:Plant Extracts; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents