Influence of Tropaeolum Majus Leaves Extract in Ameliorating Damage Induced by Gamma Radiation in Rats

Abstract

Background:Medicinal plants were commonly used in primary health care.They can ameliorate the action of oxidative stress and free radical-induced damage. The present studywas proposed to investigate the possible hepatoprotective role of hydroethanolic extract of Tropaeolum majus leaves (HETM), in modulating the toxicity and the oxidative stress induced by exposure to gamma radiation (IR) in the liver of male rats. Material &methods: HETM (300 mg/kg body weight) was administered to male albino rats via gavages during 21 successive days before whole body exposure to gamma rays (6 Gy) and during 7 days after irradiation. The animals were sacrificed on the 7th day post-irradiation. Results:the exposure to gamma-radiation caused liver dysfunction manifested by significant (p<0.05) increases in the plasma level of the alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol, low densitylipoprotein (LDL-C) and triglycerides. Moreover, IR induced oxidative stress as indicated by a significant increase in the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) with a concomitant decrease in the reduced glutathione (GSH) content as well as in the activity of superoxide dismutase, (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the liver tissue. Pretreatment with HETM in IR-treated rats alleviated the previously mentioned alterations in the biochemical and oxidative stress parameters and restored their values toward the normal value of the control group. Conclusion: hydroethanolic extract of T.majus leaves by its bioactive components and essential trace elements content might attenuate the severity of radiation-induced biochemical disorders in liver tissues.