title: Podophyllum hexandrum modulates gamma radiation-induced immunosuppression in Balb/c mice: implications in radioprotection.
abstract: Aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum (RP-1), which has been reported to render more than 82% survival against whole body lethal (10 Gy) gamma-irradiation in mice, was further investigated for its immunomodulatory potential. In this study, no significant change could be scored in peritoneal macrophages survival up to 8th day after whole body irradiation. RP-1 treatment (200 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) alone or 2 h before whole body irradiation enhanced macrophage survival significantly (p<0.05) as compared to irradiated control mice. In irradiated animals, there was significant (p<0.01) reduction in splenocyte survival and proliferation as revealed by 3H-TdR method. RP-1 treatment (200 mg/kg) alone or 2 h before irradiation countered the decrease in survival of splenocytes and proliferation significantly (p<0.05) as compared to irradiated control group. Whole body irradiation also significantly (p<0.05) reduced the population of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and bone marrow GM-CFU at 24 h and 72 h post-irradiation intervals, respectively, as compared to unirradiated control. RP-1 treatment 2 h before whole body irradiation countered the decrease in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells populations and CGM-CFU. Nitric oxide free radicals generation was enhanced significantly (p<0.05) in the supernatant of peritoneal macrophage cultures exposed to 2 Gy gamma radiation ex vivo in comparison to unirradiated control, which was reduced by pre-irradiation (-2 h) administration of RP-1. Whole body irradiation (10 Gy) also reduced the serum titres of IL-3, IL-1 and various IgG isotypes observed at different post-irradiation time interval. RP-1 treatment alone or before whole body irradiation countered radiation induced decrease in the titre of IL-1, IL-3 and IgG's in the serum of mice. These findings indicate immunostimulatory potential of RP-1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, C. C. S. University, Meerut, India. goelharish@hotmail.com
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Goel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bala
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D005720:Gamma Rays; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000276:immunology; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D011035:Podophyllum / Q000378:metabolism*; D011835:Radiation Protection; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D017186:Titrimetry
chemical_list: D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D007378:Interleukins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009569:Nitric Oxide