Triphala, an ayurvedic rasayana drug, protects mice against radiation-induced lethality by free-radical scavenging.
The effects of 10 mg/kg of triphala extract (TE) was studied on radiation-induced sickness and mortality in mice exposed to 7-12 Gray (Gy) of gamma-irradiation. Treatment of mice with triphala once daily for 5 consecutive days before irradiation delayed the onset of mortality and reduced the symptoms of radiation sickness when compared with the non-drug double distilled water treated irradiated controls (DDW). Triphala provided protection against both gastrointestinal and hemopoetic death. However, animals of both the TE + irradiation and DDW + irradiation groups did not survive up to 30 days post-irradiation beyond 11 Gy irradiation. The LD50/30 was found to be 8.6 Gy for the DDW + irradiation group and 9.9 Gy for TE + irradiation group. The administration of triphala resulted in an increase in the radiation tolerance by 1.4 Gy, and the dose reduction factor was found to be 1.15. To understand the mechanism of action of triphala, the free radical scavenging activity of the drug was evaluated. Triphala was found to scavenge (.)OH, O(2) (.) 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) diammonium salt (ABTS)(.+) and NO(.) radicals in a dose dependent manner.
Jagetia
Ganesh Chandra
GC
Department of Radiobiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal-576 104, Karnataka, India. gc.jagetia@rediffmail.com
Malagi
Krishna J
KJ
Baliga
Manjeshwar Shrinath
MS
Venkatesh
Ponemone
P
Veruva
Rosi Reddy
RR
D000818:Animals; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005720:Gamma Rays; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents