Post-treatment effects of Alstonia scholaris extract against radiation-induced biochemical alterations in Swiss albino mice

This study has been undertaken to find out the possible radioprotective potential of the Alstonia scholaris extract [ASE]. For experimental study, healthy Swiss albino male mice were selected from an inbred colony and divided in four groups. Group I [normal] did not receive any treatment. Group II was orally supplemented ASE once daily at the dose of 100 mg/ kg.b.wt/day for 5 consecutive days. Group III [control] received distilled water orally equivalent to ASE for 5 days then exposed to 7.5 Gy of gamma radiation. Group IV [experimental] was administered orally ASE for 5 consecutive days once daily and exposed to single dose of 7.5 Gy of gamma radiation. Mice were sacrificed at different autopsy intervals viz. 12 hrs. 1, 3,7,15 and 30 days, and their liver and blood were taken for various biochemical estimations viz. lipid peroxidation [LPO], reduced glutathione [GSH], protein and cholesterol. Radiation induced augmentation in lipid peroxidation and cholesterol was significantly ameliorated by ASE extract and deficit produced in protein and glutathione content by radiation was checked. Alstonia scholaris extract pretreatment hence renders protection against radiation-induced biochemical alterations in mice

Rectification of radiation-induced damage in Swiss albino mice by aloe vera leaf extracts [AVE]

From the time immemorial man has been exposed to ionizing radiation from the environment in which he lives. Radiation protection concepts and philosophy have been evolving over the past several decades. The radioprotective of effect of Aloe vera leaf extract [1000 mg /kg b.wt. orally for 15 consecutive days] has been studied against 6 Gy of gamma radiation in the intestine of Swiss albino mice at various post - irradiation intervals viz. 12 hrs, 24 hrs. and 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days. Crypt survival, villus length, apoptic cells, mitotic figures and goblet cells in jejunum were studied after irradiation. Irradiaton produced a significant decrease in crypt survival, mitotic figures and villus length; whereas goblet and apoptic cells showed a significant increase from sham irradiated animals. The major changes were observed on day 3 after irradiation. AVE pre-treated irradiated animals resulted in a significant increase in the number of crypt cells, mitotic figures and villus length; whereas the counts of apoptic and goblet cells showed a significant decrease from respective control group at all the autopsy intervals. Irradiated animals resulted in the elevation in lipid peroxidation and a reduction in glutathione activity. On contrary, AVE treatment before irradiation caused a significant depletion in lipid peroxidation and elevation in glutathione activity. The present study suggests the possible radioprotective ability of Aloe vera leaf extract