Citrus extract protects mouse bone marrow cells against gamma-irradiation

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Citrus extract protects mouse bone marrow cells against γ-irradiation

Hosseinimehr S.J.

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran

With respect to radiation damage to humans, it is important to seek possible radioprotectants to modify the normal response of biological systems to radiation-induced toxicity or lethality. For this reasons, the search for less-toxic radiation radioprotectants has spurred interest in the development of different compounds.

The radioprotective effects of citrus extract were investigated by using the micronucleus test for anticlastogenic and cell proliferation activity. In this study, three doses of citrus peel extract were used prior to gamma rays. Mice bone marrow cells were prepared and stained with Giemsa/mayGranwald. Micronuclei PCEs were scored with microscpe.

A single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of citrus extract (Citrus aurantium var.amara) at 250, 500, 1000 mg/kg body weight 1 h prior to γ-ray irradiation (1.5 Gy) reduced the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCES) and normochromatic erythrocytes (MnNCES). All three doses of citrus extract significantly reduced the frequencies of MnPCEs and MnNCEs in mice bone marrow compared to non-drug-treated irradiated control (p<0.005-0.05).

The flavonoids contained in citrus extract, have probably shown protective activity, and reduced the clastogenic effect of radiation on mice bone marrow. Therefore, fruits and vegetables containing flavonoids may be considered useful as protective agents under such stress conditions as irradiation.