Protective effects of Tianpu Shenghang Plan on radiation injuried mice

Abstract

Objective To observe the protective effects of Tianpu Shenghang Pian on γ-ray radiation injuries of mice. Methods Two hundred female Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=40 for each) by the processing as peripheral white blood cell count (group Ⅰ), bone marrow nucleated cell count (group Ⅱ), marrow cell micronuclei detection (group Ⅲ), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) determination (group Ⅳ) and serum hemolysin determination (group Ⅴ). And for each group, mice were further partitioned into low, middle and high dosage groups and radiation control group (n= 10 for each). For dosage groups, gavage was taken for feeding drug with the dose of 0.12 g/kg, 0.24 g/kg and 0.72 g/kg daily, continued for 21 d. The equal volume of distilled water was given to the radiation control group. Then, the mice of group Ⅳ and Ⅴ were exposed by 6 Gy and 2 Gy radiation respectively while the other three groups were exposed by 3 Gy. After radiation, the drug was continually given until the end of the experiment. Following parameters were compared among the groups., white cells in peripheral blood, nucleated cells in bone marrow, micronucleus rate of marrow cells, SOD activity and hemolysin level in serum. Results The peripheral white blood cell level that was counted on the 3 days after radiation in middle and high dose groups, and on the 14 days later in middle dose group was significantly higher than that of radiation control group (P<0.01 or 0.05). On the 3 days after radiation, nucleated cells level in bone marrow of middle and high dose group was significantly higher than that of radiation control group (P<0.05 or 0.01), and micronucleus rate of marrow cells of high dose group was significantly lower than that of radiation control group (χ~2=6.301, P<0.05). For 6 Gy radiation, serum SOD activity in high dose group was significantly higher than that in radiation control group since the 7 days later than radiation (P<0.05). Unto 14 days after radiation, hemolysin level of the groups that exposed by 2 Gy radiation showed no significant difference from the control group. Conclusions Tianpu Shenghang Pian behaves the significantly protective effects on γ-ray radiation injuries of mice. Key words: Gamma rays; Radiation injuries, experimental; Leukocyte count; Bone marrow cells; Micronucleus tests; Superoxide dismutase; Radiation-protective agents