Protective effect of hesperidin against γ-radiation induced oxidative stress in Sprague-Dawley rats

Abstract

The high risk of human exposure to ionizing radiations during radiation therapy and also during space travel underscores the need to develop novel radioprotectors with improved efficacy. Increased oxidative stress and antioxidant deficit have been suggested to play a major role in radiation induced toxicity, and hence maintaining an antioxidant balance through dietary supplementation might provide beneficial effects during radiation exposure. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of hesperidin, a flavanone glycoside found in citrus plants, on the antioxidant defense system and lipid peroxidation against γ-radiation induced damage in rats. Exposure of rats to γ-radiation (5 Gy) resulted in tissue damage characterized by significantly elevated levels of serum marker enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and CPK) and a decrease in their activities in the heart tissue. γ-Radiation induced oxidative stress was observed by elevated levels of lipid peroxidation and a decrease in the activities of endogenous antioxidants (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH) in the heart and kidney of rats. Post-treatment with hesperidin (50 and 100 mg/kg bw/day, orally) for 7 days following exposure to γ-radiation significantly attenuated these changes when compared to the radiation exposed groups. Histopathological examination of the heart tissue of rats exposed to γ-radiation and treated with hesperidin also showed minimal damage when compared to those exposed to γ-radiation alone. These findings indicate the protective effect of hesperidin on lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant tissue defense system during γ-radiation induced tissue damage in rats.