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Introduction: Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is known to be associated with chronic inflammation, and its expression has been shown to increase in advanced cancers. Chronic inflammation is a characteristic feature of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), which is a potentially malignant disorder (PMD). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is associated with considerable mortality and morbidity and an early detection or monitoring would greatly help in achieving an effective cure. TNF-α was thus evaluated for use as a biomarker in the present study according to the stage of OSMF and histological grade of SCC in the oral cavity and oropharynx. Methods: This study included 45 patients divided into 3 groups-OSMF group, SCC group and control group-each comprising 15 participants. Saliva samples were collected from each patient, and salivary TNF-α levels were estimated using an ELISA kit. Results: Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in TNF-α levels among the OSMF, SCC and control groups; however, there was an increase in the salivary TNF-α level in patients with stage 3 disease according to the clinical stage of OSMF, for which the p value was 0.027. Discussion: An increase in the TNF-α concentration with increasing clinical stage suggested a role for TNF-α in the spread of OSMF involvement in anatomical structures of the oral cavity and oropharynx. No significant difference in salivary TNF-α levels was noted among the OSMF, SCC and control groups. Conclusion: The study showed a positive correlation of TNF-α with increasing stages of OSMF but was not a reliable biomarker in the categorization of the same.
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In the present study, we investigated radiation mitigating activities of Psidium guajava L. (P. guajava) against whole-body X- ray induced damages in albino Wistar rat model. The animals were orally administered with 200 mg/kg bodyweight of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of P. guajava for five consecutive days and on the fifth day, after the last dose of extract administration, animals were exposed to 4 Gy of X-rays. Rats were sacrificed 24 h post X-ray irradiation. The radiomitigating activity of the herb extract was assessed by micronucleus assay, histopathology of the small intestine and hematological parameters. Hepatic cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin -10 (IL-10) levels were assayed to validate the anti-inflammatory property. Biochemical estimations were also performed in RBC lysates to corroborate antioxidant properties in the leaf extract. HPLC analysis of crude extract confirmed the presence of standard flavonoid quercetin. Our results indicated that radiation elevated COX-2, IL-6 and decreased IL-10 levels and also induced micronucleus formation in polychromatic erythrocytes, simultaneously impairing hematological parameters along with erythrocyte antioxidants. The animals pre-treated with P. guajava exhibited a significant decrease in the COX-2 (P ≤ 0.01), IL-6 levels (P ≤ 0.05) and also displayed significant increase in the hepatic IL-10 levels (P ≤ 0.01). Pre-treatment with plant extract improved antioxidant enzyme activities, hematological parameters and reduced the intestinal damage by recovering the architecture of the small intestine. Moreover, extract also rendered protection against radiation induced DNA damage, as evidenced by the significant (P ≤ 0.01) decrease in the percentage of radiation-induced micronucleus in polychromatic erythrocytes. Furthermore, the herb extract treatment increased radiation LD50/30 from 6.6 Gy to 9.0 Gy, offering a dose reduction factor (DRF) of 1.36. Our findings for the first time propose the beneficial use of P. guajava as a radioprotector against X-ray induced damage.
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INTRODUCTION: Radiation is an important tool in the diagnostic and curative treatment of many cancers. Ionizing radiation induces many biochemical changes in the cells. The present study was designed to estimate the level of neurotransmitters in the distinct brain tissue of Swiss albino mice before exposing gamma radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mice were treated with 0.25 and 1 g/kg body weight of Cynodon dactylon extract (CDE) via oral gavage for 7 days and subjected to 5 Gy of gamma radiation. The estimation of monoamines was performed in the cortex and cerebellum separately. RESULTS: Mice exposed to a sublethal dose 5 Gy of gamma radiation causes a significant decrease in dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and serotonin levels compared to normal. The mice treated with 0.25 and 1 g/kg body weight of CDE via oral gavage for 7 days showed significant improvement in the level of monoamine neurotransmitters in both the cortex and cerebellum homogenate. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of antioxidant-rich C. dactylon has shown a neuromodulatory effect against radiation-induced depletion of neurotransmitters in the brain tissues.
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Objective: To explore the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Cynodon dactylon on the whole body radiation-induced oxidative status of the cerebellum and cognitive impairments in mice. Methods: Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into the control group, radiation control group, low dose and high dose Cynodon dactylon extract treated groups and pre-treated with Cynodon dactylon extract before irradiation. Cynodon dactylon extract was administered for 7 d daily in low dose (0.25 g/kg) and high dose (1 g/kg). On day 7, mice were irradiated with a sublethal dose of 5 Gy gamma rays. Motor coordination was assessed by elevated rotarod test and spatial memory was studied by water maze test. Subsequently, biochemical markers (glutathione, lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels) in the cerebellum were evaluated. Results: The gamma irradiated group showed significant impairment in motor coordination and spatial memory compared to normal mice. Mice treated by Cynodon dactylon extract prior to gamma radiation showed good improvement in both paradigms compared to the radiation control group. Moreover, glutathione level was increased, while lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels were significantly reduced in mice receiving low dose and high dose of Cynodon dactylon extract compared to the radiation control group. Conclusions: The present study suggests the neuroprotective role of Cynodon dactylon against radiation-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress on the cerebellum of mice.
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The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and antigenotoxic effect of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Persea americana (P. americana) in albino Wistar rats against whole body X-ray irradiation. Rats were orally administered with (25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) of P. americana leaf extract for five days. On the fifth day after last administration, animals were exposed to whole body X-rays of 8 Gy. Based on Kaplan Meier's survival analysis, 100 mg/kg body weight was selected as an optimum dose for radioprotection. The radioprotective potential was analysed by bone marrow micronucleus test and comet assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Biochemical estimations were performed in liver tissue homogenates. DNA damage indicators analysed through comet assay displayed significant reduction in olive tail movement (P < 0.01), percentage DNA in tail (P < 0.05) and tail length (P < 0.001) in pretreated group when compared to radiation group. P. americana leaf extract restored the levels of reduced glutathione, catalase, and reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, and cyclooxygenase-2 levels in liver homogenates of pre-treated group. Decrease in micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (P < 0.05) was witnessed in P. americana pretreated group when compared to radiation control. Pretreatment also resulted in the increase of animal survival with dose reduction factor of 1.28. Our findings for the first time demonstrated that P. americana offers significant protection to rats from whole body exposure to X-rays and helps in antagonising the radiation effects, thereby combating acute radiation induced damage in living systems.
