Abstract B68: Emblica officinalis, a citrus flavonone, protects against radiation-induced chromosomal damage in Swiss albino mice bone marrow

Abstract

Abstract B68 Free radicals are responsible for the induction of damage to the cellular DNA that leads to the formation of chromosome aberrations. Antioxidants are known to scavenge free radicals,thereby decreasing the degree of such effects.Radiation is a well-known inducer of free radicals and compounds that can scavenge free radicals may reduce radiation-induced DNA damage. Emblica officinalis (Amla) a bioflavonoid predominant in citrus fruits, has been found to scavenge free radicals, therefore it may also reduce radiation-induced damage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the radioprotection action of 100 mg/kg Emblica in the bone marrow of mice exposed to different doses of Co60 gamma radiation by scoring the frequency of asymmetrical chromosomal aberrations.The irradiation of mice resulted in a dose-dependent elevation in the frequencey of aberrent cells, acentric fragments,chromatid and chromosome breaks, dicentric and exchanges. All these aberrations were elevated with scoring time up to 24 hour post irradiation and declined thereafter, except chromatid breaks,which were maximum at 12 hour post-irradiation. Treatment of mice with 100 mg/kg b.wt. Emblica officinalis before exposure to various doses of gamma radiation resulted in a significant reduction in the frequencies of aberrent cells and chromosomal aderrations like acentric fragments,chromatid and chromosomal breaks, centric rings, dicentrics, and exchanges. The evaluation of free radical scavenging activity of Emblica officinalis revealed a dose-dependent scavenging of hydroxyal,superoxide and 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical.Our study demonstrates that Emblica officinalis can protects mouse bone marrow cells against radiation-induced chromosomal damage. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B68.