2020) Synergetic role of senna and fennel extracts as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic agents in irradiated human blood lymphocyte cultures, ABSTRACT Present work aimed to examine antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic effects of senna and fennel via synergetic mechanisms against deleterious effects of gamma radiation exposure. Cytogenetic, biochemical and immunological investigations were evaluated in human blood lymphocyte cultures. Samples were divided into Group I: control, Group II: irradiated samples with 3Gy γ-irradiation, Group III: treated samples with a mixture of calcium sennosides and fennel seed extract and Group IV: irradiated treated samples. The results revealed that radiation exposure caused an increment in numbers of micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs), mono-, and multinucleated cells. Biochemical results revealed a decrease in levels of SOD and CAT enzymes and an increase in LDH level after irradiation. Levels of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) were significantly increased in irradiated group. Calcium sennosides and fennel seed extract mixture treatment after radiation exposure succeeded in returning cytokines and antioxidant enzyme levels to their normal levels as compared to control. Also, group IV showed a marvelous improvement in numbers of MN and NPB frequencies. These results indicate that the combination between Calcium sennosides as free radicals scavenger and fennel as an apoptic inducer can be used as a post-radiation treatment against oxidative and inflammation effects of ionizing radiation. ARTICLE HISTORY

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (commonly known as fennel) is one of the precious spices. Almost all parts of the plant are edible and have powerful interest in phytochemical and pharmacological research. The present study was designed to examine the free radical scavenging potential, oxidative damage preventive activity, and anti-inflammatory effects of traditionally used fennel. It assessed the cytogenetic and biochemical effects of fennel on suppression of the radiation hazards in human blood culture at a working dose of 200µg/ml. The treatment time was 72 h post-irradiation (3 Gy γ-irradiation). Triple blood cultures for each blood sample were set up. Ionizing radiation exposure induced significant increase in micronuclei (MN) frequencies in both mono-and binucleated cells beside significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). While Interleukin (IL)-1β, −6, −8 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α levels were significantly increased after irradiation. Treatment with fennel exhibited a decrease in micronuclei and enhancement in the level of SOD, CAT, and LDH activities. In addition, significant amelioration in IL-1β, 6 and 8, TNF-α activity was scored. The present results revealed the antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of fennel against oxidative stress induced by γirradiation.

I ONIZING radiation (IR) generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Imbalance between ROS and antioxidants level leads to oxidative stress. Fortunella margarita (F. magarita) fruit contains a lot of bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, ..etc. Therefore, it has high radical scavenging capacities and strong antioxidant activity. This study was designed to determine the probable efficiency of F. margarita extract against liver damage and sperm abnormalities induced by γ-radiation in male rats. Thirty six rats were divided into 6 groups (6 rats each): control group, treated groups: 14 days F. margarita group and 28 days F. margarita group, irradiated group (Irr): rats were exposed to 6Gy of whole body γ-radiation, pre-treated (14 days F. margarita extract + Irr) group and pre-and post-treated (28 days F. margarita extract + Irr) group. Biochemical investigations included lipid profile: total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). Liver function enzymes involved analyzing serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level, hepatic tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reduced (GSH) levels. Fertility competence (sperm head, tail and head and tail abnormalities) were recorded. Results obtained revealed the strong efficiency role of F. margarita fruit extract as an antioxidant against hepatotoxicity through enhancement of liver functions ( ALT, AST and GGt), reduction of oxidative stress (MDA, SOD and GSH), and powerful recovering of sperm abnormalities induced by γ-irradiation. Also, adjusting and normalization of TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C and TG have been shown.

Plasma medicine is an emerging field of research that aims to increase understanding and utilization of the interaction of plasmas with living tissues and cells. Low-temperature atmospheric-pressure plasma is a multi-component system that includes such biologically active agents as charged particles, reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, metastable-state molecules or atoms, and UV radiation. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects on human blood cultures of exposure to the plasma components for different time periods (20 s, 40 s, 60 s, and 80 s). The present study recorded the scoring of micronuclei in both mono-and bi-nucleated lymphocytes as well as the apoptosis and necrosis of cells for each time period of exposure. Three blood samples for each experimental dose were compared with a non-exposed (control) group. In addition, the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed for each experimental dose and for the control samples. The results showed that the exposure of blood samples to the plasma jet yielded significant incremental differences in micronuclei, IL-1β, and TNF-α, except in the first dosage group. Based on these results, we conclude that plasma can be used to repair tissues, cure diseases, and treat tumors.KEY WORDS: plasma jet, micronucleus test, interleukin-1β, blood culture, tumor necrosis factor alpha Plasma Medicine 192Ahmed et al.

Tocotrienols are members of the natural vitamin E family which is considered one of important fat soluble vitamins. The tocotrienols react with free radicals, which are the main cause of oxidation damage to cell membranes, without formation of other free radicals in the process. All natural forms of tocotrienols have the ability to regulate peroxidation reactions and to control free radicals production within the body. This study aimed to assess the antimutagenic and antioxidant ability of α-tocotrienol at a working dose (0.04 mg/ ml) through cytogenetic (Micronucleus test) study and biochemical analysis including Caspase-3, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) activities and Nitric Oxide (NO) concentration in γ-irradiated human blood cultures. The treatment time was 72 hrs post-irradiation with gamma rays at dose of 3 Gy. Triple blood cultures for each blood sample were set up. Ionizing irradiation induces a significant increase in micronuclei (MNi) frequencies, and nucleuplasmic bridge (N bridge) accompanied by a significant rise in Caspase-3 activity and NO concentration. Furthermore, SOD and CAT activities showed significant decrease. αtocotrienol treatment results into a decrease of MNi and N bridges numbers, enhancement of SOD and CAT activities and improvement of both NO and Caspase-3 levels, compared to irradiated cells which not treated with α-tocotrienol. The present results reveal the antimutagenic and the anti-oxidant effects of α-tocotrienol against γ-irradiation.