The modulatory effect of Opuntia elatior stem extract was studied in Swiss albino mice at various two doses i.e. 6 Gy and 8 Gy of gamma radiation in the presence (experimental) or absence (control) of Opuntia elatior extract (10 mg/kg body wt.) to observe in blood glucose level alterations. These animals were scarified and their blood was collected at days 1, 15 and 30 post-irradiation. The glucose level was scored almost constant in the control group(without any treatment ) and increased in gamma radiation treated mice group, whereas a recovery pattern was recorded in experimental animals (in only plant extract treated and plant extract with radiation treated mice's groups and a normal value was achieved by at 30 th day after dose level.
When mice are exposed to gamma radiation, all the body systems are affected adversely. Liver enzymes which are responsible for removal of toxicity created by irradiation increases in the body. Several herbs are known to reduce this toxicity. Opuntia elatior (OE) ,a cactus, was tested in this study for its activity to remove toxins induced by whole body exposure to Co 60 gamma rays (6Gy).A moderate dose of OE (10 mg/kg body weight) was given orally to mice, before whole body irradiation and GOT activity was studied in their kidney at 1,3,5,10,15 and 30 post treatment days. Whole body gamma ray exposure increases GOT activity in the kidneys also. In OE pretreated animals this increase was significantly lesser and early recovery was observed. Two types of extracts were used in this study (ethanolic and acetonic). Both were able to reduce gamma radiation induced increase significantly and almost equally. As OE cladode extracts are quite cheap and produce no side effects(OE cladodes are used as food), it may be used to prevent unwanted toxic effects of gamma radiation exposure.
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