Radioprotective Effects of Hawthorn Fruit Extract Against Gamma Irradiation in Mouse Bone Marrow Cells

Abstract

The radioprotective effect of hawthorn (Crataegus microphylla) fruit extract against genotoxicity induced by gamma irradiation has been investigated in mouse bone marrow cells. A single intraperitoneal (ip) administration of hawthorn extract at doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg 1h prior to gamma irradiation (2 Gy) reduced the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs). All four doses of hawthorn extract significantly reduced the frequencies of MnPCEs and increased the PCE/PCE+NCE ratio (polychromatic erythrocyte/ polychromatic erythrocyte + normochromatic erythrocyte) in mice bone marrow compared with the non drug-treated irradiated control (p < 0.02-0.00001). The maximum reduction in MnPCEs was observed in mice treated with extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Administration of amifostine at dose 100 mg/kg and hawthorn at dose 200 mg/kg reduced the frequency of MnPCE almost 4.8 and 5.7 fold; respectively, after being exposed to 2 Gy of gamma rays, compare with the irradiated control group. Crataegus extract exhibited concentration-dependent activity on 1,1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl free radical showing that Crataegus contained high amounts of phenolic compounds and the HPLC analysis determined that it contained chlorogenic acid, epicatechin and hyperoside. It appeared that hawthorn extract with antioxidant activity reduced the genotoxicity induced by gamma irradiation in bone marrow cells.

Protective effects of tetrahydropalmatine against γ-radiation induced damage to human endothelial cells

“…Ionizing irradiation can induce DNA damage and cell death by generating ROS (Schmidt-Ullrich et al 2000). An increased understanding of the relationship between the effects of oxygen and irradiation exposure has led to increased interest in natural antioxidants due to their multiply effective potency and low toxicity (Davis et al 2007;Hosseinimehr et al 2007). In this study, we demonstrated the ability of THP to prevent and reduce irradiationinduced damage at a cellular level in the human endothelial cell line EA.hy926.…”

“…Consequently, drugs of herbal origin have gained increasing attention recently as potential radioprotective agents due to their pharmacological properties and low toxicity (Hosseinimehr et al 2007). Rhizoma corydalis is a Chinese herbal medicine of fundamental importance which has been traditionally used to help invigorate the blood, move qi, reinforce vital energy and alleviate pain (Ding 1987).…”

Mediterranean Hawthorn Fruit (Crataegus) Species and Potential Usage

“…Leaves, fruits Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidiabetic [33] C. tanacetifolia Leaves Hypotensive, antimicrobial [53] C. pentaegyna Fruits Antioxidant [45] C. microphylla Fruits Radioprotective [54] C. sinaica Fruits, leaves Antiviral, including anti-HIV; antioxidant; anticomplementary [55] Crataegus spp. Fruits, leaves Diuretic/ACE inhibitor [41] C. azarolus var.…”

The genus Crataegus: chemical and pharmacological perspectives

“…It appeared that hawthorn extract exhibits antioxidant activity and reduced the genotoxicity induced by gamma radiation in mouse bone marrow cells. Phytochemical study revealed that C. microphylla contains high amounts of phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid, hyperoside and epicatechin which might be responsible for its radioprotective potential (Hosseinimehr et al, 2007).…”