title: Ferulic acid inhibits gamma radiation-induced DNA strand breaks and enhances the survival of mice.
abstract: Ferulic acid (FA) is a monophenolic phenylpropanoid occurring in plant products such as rice bran, green tea, and coffee beans. It has been shown to have significant antioxidant effects in many studies. In the present study, we show that intraperitoneal administration of FA at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight 1 hour prior to or immediately after whole-body γ-irradiation of mice with 4 Gy results in considerable reduction in the micronuclei formation in peripheral blood reticulocytes. Administration of the same amount of FA immediately after 4 Gy γ-irradiation showed significant decrease in the amount of DNA strand breaks in murine peripheral blood leukocytes and bone marrow cells as examined by comet assay. Further, immunostaining of mouse splenic lymphocytes for phspho-γH2AX was carried out, and it was observed that FA inhibits the γH2AX foci formation. Finally, the survival of mice upon 6, 8, and 10 Gy γ-ray exposure was monitored. FA enhances the survival of mice by a factor of 2.5 at a dose of 6 Gy γ-radiation but not at higher doses. In conclusion, FA has protective potential in both pre- and postirradiation exposure scenarios and enhances the survival of mice possibly by decreasing DNA damage as examined by γH2AX foci, micronuclei formation, and comet assay.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India. dkmauryabarc@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Dharmendra Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Maurya
authors.forename: Thomas Paul Asir
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Devasagayam
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003373:Coumaric Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003373:Coumaric Acids; D006657:Histones; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; C004999:ferulic acid; C475961:gamma-H2AX protein, mouse