RESUMO
Excessive free radicals are caused by unnatural environmental influences such as air pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, factories, pesticides, food contaminants and a myriad of other factor that are part of our modern life. Hypercholesterolaemia is directly associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease [CHD]. Cynara scolymus L. [Artichoke] grows in Egypt and other countries. It is used as foods and has medicinal properties. Artichoke extracts have been shown to produce various pharmacological effects, such as the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis and low density lipoprotein [LDL] oxidation. The present study aims to evaluate the antioxidative activities and radioprotector role of cynara scolymus L. [artichoke] against hyperlipidemic induced by gamma- irradiation in male rats. Male Swiss albino rats were orally administrated by artichoke [head or leaves] [10% mg/rat/day] using suitable stomach tube [6weeks, 45 days] before exposure to a single dose [6.5 Gy] of whole body gamma radiation. Levels of lipids peroxides [MDA], reduced glutathione content [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], total cholesterol [TC], triacylglycerol [TG], high density lipoprotein [HDL-C] and low density lipoprotein [LDL-C] were investigated in serum. The results revealed that gamma radiation led to significant increase in MDA, TC, TG and LDL, Meanwhile, significant decrease in GSH and SOD, but groups administrated with Artichoke [head and leaf] before whole body gamma irradiation, artichoke exerted noticeable amelioration against the radiation induced changes in most of the biochemical tested parameters