Radioprotective Activity of Naturally Occurring Organosulfur Compounds

Abstract

The radioprotective effects of naturally occurring sulfur compounds and isothiocyanates such as diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), allyl methyl sulfide (AMS), allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC) have been investigated in whole body irradiated Swiss albino mice. Administration of these sulfur compounds could reduce the serum content of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which was elevated after irradiation (23.9 +/- 1.82 KA units). The elevated liver content of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in control animals (76.2 +/- 2.2 U/mL) after irradiation was significantly reduced in DAS (58.93 +/- 4 U/mL) and AMS (55.7 +/- 2.2 U/mL) treated animals. Elevated levels of lipid peroxides in serum and liver of irradiated control animals were also significantly reduced by treatment with these sulfur compounds. The glutathione (GSH) content in liver and intestinal mucosa was drastically reduced after irradiation. All the sulfur compounds and isothiocyanates could effectively enhance the GSH content of intestinal mucosa and liver. Findings at histopathological analysis of the intestine proved to be correlated with the above results.