A diarylpentanoid curcumin analog exhibits improved radioprotective potential in the intestinal mucosa

To best enhance the effects of radiotherapy, it is important to minimize adverse events, including free radical-induced intestinal cell damage. Given the threat of nuclear power plant accidents or nuclear terrorism, there is an urgent need for radioprotectants to counteract the radiation-induced toxicity and/or injuries. Curcumin exhibits protective effects against gamma irradiation; however, its in vivo efficacy is decreased due to the low bioavailability. We examined the radioprotective effect of a newly synthesized curcumin analog, GO-Y031, on 11-Gy X-ray-induced intestinal mucosal damage in mice.

The radioprotection experiments were conducted by using C57BL/6J or Jcl:ICR mice. Molecules related to radiation damage, including p53, Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and reactive carbonyl species (RCS), were investigated immunohistochemically.

GO-Y031 protected against crypt hypoplasia relative to a mock treatment at 0.5% (weight/weight); the number of crypts were 11.00 ± 2.00/circumference (mm) in treated versus 6.86 ± 0.99/mm in mock-treated C57BL/6 mice (p = 0.0079). GO-Y031 also reduced the levels of RCS, p53, and cleaved caspase-3 accumulation in the irradiated intestinal cells.

GO-Y031 suppresses the accumulation of RCS and apoptosis-related molecules in irradiated cells. This compound may be a good primary radioprotective compound.