Protection against radiation clastogenecity in mouse bone marrow by Phyllanthus niruri

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Radiation Biology

Background:

• Gamma radiation exposure induces chromosomal aberrations, posing significant health risks.
• Phyllanthus niruri (P. niruri) extracts are traditionally used for medicinal purposes.
• Understanding the radioprotective potential of natural compounds is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the in vivo radioprotective effects of aqueous (PnAq) and alcoholic (PnA1) extracts of P. niruri against gamma radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations.
• To assess the in vitro antioxidant activity, including free radical scavenging, pro-oxidant, and iron chelating abilities of the extracts.
• To correlate phytochemical composition with observed biological activities.

Main Methods:

• In vitro antioxidant assays: Hydroxyl radical scavenging, pro-oxidant activity, and iron chelating ability were measured.
• In vivo study: Chromosomal aberration frequency was analyzed in mice exposed to gamma radiation (4 Gy) and treated with P. niruri extracts (50-250 mg/kg).
• Phytochemical analysis: Qualitative screening for secondary metabolites like flavonoids, polyphenols, and lignans was performed.

Main Results:

• The alcoholic extract (PnA1) exhibited significant in vitro free radical scavenging ability, particularly at concentrations above 250 microg/ml.
• Aqueous extract (PnAq) demonstrated notable pro-oxidant activity, whereas PnA1 did not show this effect.
• Administration of PnA1 (250 mg/kg) significantly reduced gamma radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations compared to the radiation-only group.
• The alcoholic extract showed greater radioprotective efficacy than the aqueous extract.
• Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols, lignans, and other compounds in both extracts.

Conclusions:

• The alcoholic extract of P. niruri possesses significant radioprotective properties, likely attributed to its potent antioxidant activity and rich content of polyphenolic compounds.
• PnA1 is a promising candidate for further investigation as a radioprotective agent.
• The findings support the traditional use of P. niruri and highlight the importance of phytochemical constituents in mediating its biological effects.