Abstract
Objective: Camellia nitidissima Chi, a Chinese medicine commonly used by ethnic minorities in Guangxi, China, is beneficial for clearing heat, detoxifying, inducing diuresis, and suppressing swelling. It has various pharmacological properties, including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. However, its potential application in radioprotection remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether Camellia nitidissima Chi has radioprotective effects against radiation-induced gastrointestinal and hematopoietic damage. Methods: The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) techniques were used to assess the ability of Camellia nitidissima Chi to scavenge free radicals. We conducted a 30-day survival rate experiment to evaluate the radioprotective capabilities of Camellia nitidissima Chi. Additionally, we developed models of radiation-induced intestinal and hematopoietic damage. Alterations in the white blood cell (WBC) count, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione (GSH), and protein expression linked to apoptosis were observed. Results: Camellia nitidissima Chi scavenged 84.72% and 93.47% of DPPH and ABTS, had a certain radiation protection potential, and increased the survival rate of mice to over 90%. Moreover, following exposure, Camellia nitidissima Chi enhanced WBC, T-SOD, and GSH levels. Camellia nitidissima Chi increased B-cell lymphoma-extra large (BCL-XL) expression and suppressed Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX) expression, providing radioprotection to cells. Conclusions: Camellia nitidissima Chi has a strong antioxidant ability; it can improve the survival rate of mice after lethal dose irradiation and protect against radiation-induced hematopoietic and gastrointestinal damage. These findings can serve as a guide for using Chinese medicines for radioprotection.
Published Version
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