Origanum vulgare leaf extract protects mice bone marrow cells against ionizing radiation

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Radiology, School of Allied, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

3 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Department of Medical Physic, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract


Objective: Ionizing radiation produces free radicals which induce DNA damage and cell death. Origanum vulgare leaf extract (OVLE) is a natural compound and its capability of scavenging free radicals and its antioxidant activity have been demonstrated by many researchers. In this study, using micronucleus assay, radioprotective effect of OVLE against clastogenic and cytotoxic effect of gamma irradiation has been investigated in mice bone marrow cells.

Materials and Methods: OVLE was injected intraperitoneally to the BALB/c mice 1hr prior to gamma irradiation (3Gy) at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. Twenty four hours after irradiation or treatment, animals were killed and smears were prepared from the bone marrow cells. The slides were stained with May Grunwald–Giemsa method and analyzed microscopically. The frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs), micronucleated normochromatic erythrocyte (MnNCEs) and cell proliferation ratio PCE/PCE+NCE (polychromatic erythrocyte/polychromatic erythrocyte + normochromatic erythrocyte) were calculated.

Results: The results showed that gamma irradiation (3Gy) increased the frequency of MnPCEs, MnNCEs and  reduced the PCE/PCE+NCE ratio in mice bone marrow compared to the non-irradiated control group (p< 0.0001). Injection of OVLE significantly reduced the frequency of MnPCEs (p< 0.0001) and MnNCEs (p< 0.05) and increased the PCE/PCE+NCE ratio as compared to the irradiated control group (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: It seems that OVLE with its antioxidant properties and its capability of scavenging free radicals and reactive oxygen species can reduce the cytotoxic effects of gamma irradiation in mice bone marrow cells.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine
Volume 6, Issue 6 - Serial Number 6
November and December 2016
Pages 678-685

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