ABSTRACT
Significant increase in the salivary gland weight was observed after exposure to single therapeutic dose of 3.7 MBq of 131I in mice. Pre-supplementation of antioxidants, O. sanctum leaf extract, turmeric extract and vitamin E for 15 days before 131I exposure demonstrated significant reduction in the salivary gland weight. No major histopathological changes were observed in the salivary gland of experimental animals at 24 h of exposure. Micronuclei index in the bone marrow of polychromatic (PCEs) and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs) remained unchanged in all the experimental groups. However, PCE/NCE ratio in the bone marrow decreased significantly in all the 131I exposed animals irrespective of antioxidant supplementation status. The normalization of salivary gland weight by antioxidant pre-supplementation in radioiodine exposed mice is suggestive of the possible ameliorating effect of antioxidants on the salivary gland weight recommending further detailed studies regarding the functional aspect of the salivary gland in higher animals.
ABSTRACT
Radioprotective effect of aqueous extract of Ocimum sanctum (40 mg/kg body weight, for 15 days) in mice exposed to high-doses (3.7 MBq) of oral 131iodine was investigated by studying the organ weights, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense enzymes in various target organs like liver, kidneys, salivary glands and stomach at 24 hr after exposure in adult Swiss mice. The mean weight of the salivary glands showed significant increase after 131iodine administration. 131iodine exposure significantly increased lipid peroxidation in kidneys and salivary glands in comparison to control animals. Pretreatment with O. sanctum in radioiodine exposed group showed significant reduction in lipid peroxidation in both kidneys and salivary glands. In liver, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels showed significant reduction after radioiodine exposure while pretreatment with O. sanctum exhibited less depletion in GSH level even after 131iodine exposure. However, no such changes were observed in stomach. The results indicate the possibility of using aqueous extract of O. sanctum for ameliorating 131Iodine induced damage to the salivary glands.