Inhibition of radiation-induced clastogenicity by Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa in mice bone marrow exposed to different doses of γ-radiation

Phytochemical and biological review of Aegle marmelos Linn

India has one of the most expanded plant-origin medical traditions in the world. Researchers have evaluated molecules obtained from plants to treat a variety of ailments. Literature review shows that fundamental parts of the plant are used to treat different diseases. The related data is retrieved from Google scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus. The keywords include Bael, A. marmelos, Vilvam, and Marmelosin. Extensive studies show that A. marmelos has antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, chemopreventive, antipyretic, ulcer healing, antigenotoxic, diuretic, antifertility, and anti-inflammatory properties. In this work, an updated literature review is presented to clarify the current state of research on A. marmelos elucidating its constituents and their most relevant biological activities.

Herbal beverages: Bioactive compounds and their role in disease risk reduction - A review

There is a renewed interest in non-nutritive bioactive compounds of foods and beverages as 'lifespan nutrients' in the risk reduction of non-communicable diseases. Herbal beverages, consumed as part of a balanced diet, may improve the antioxidant status and enhance the overall health status. Herbal teas/beverages are rich sources of natural bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, polyacetylenes, saponins and terpenoids, among others. A wealth of available scientific evidence demonstrates that natural bioactive compounds render a number of diversified biological effects, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, antithrombotic and vasodilatory actions, as well as antimutagenicity, anticarcinogenicity and antiaging effects. A number of herbal beverages are consumed globally and some beverages have gained more popularity than others depending on their geographical origin. However, in the era of globalization, ethnic barriers have gradually been removed and such commodities although from different areas, are now universally available as international health-pro products.

DNA scission and LDL cholesterol oxidation inhibition and antioxidant activities of Bael (Aegle marmelos) flower extracts

Phenolic compounds and other antioxidants have been implicated in protection against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in which oxidative stress is a main contributor. The extracts of Bael (Aegle marmelos) flower were examined for their phenolic content, free radical scavenging efficacy and inhibition of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol oxidation and DNA scission activities. The extracts of Bael flowers were prepared using different solvent systems and their total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) determined. Selected extracts which showed high TPC were subsequently used to determine their efficacy in scavenging hydroxyl, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The corresponding peroxyl radical scavenging activity was measured using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. The potency of the extracts in inhibiting hydroxyl and peroxyl radical-induced supercoiled DNA scission and inhibition of LDL cholesterol oxidation was also evaluated. The chemical identity of phenolic compounds present in the extracts was tentatively unraveled using HPLC-MS. Phenolic extracts of Bael flowers effectively inhibited hydroxyl, and peroxyl radicals. Phenolic extracts demonstrated notable inhibitory activity against hydroxyl and peroxyl radical-induced DNA scission and LDL oxidation. Vanillic, p-coumaric, chlorogenic, caffeic, and gentisic acids were identified as major phenolic acids, along with flavonoids, mainly catechin, and quercetin. The knowledge gained here may help better use of Bael flower extracts as functional herbal beverage ingredients in the prevention of NCDs.

The development and biological characteristics of a novel potentially radioresistant inbred mouse strain

The growth of biomedical research over the previous decades has been accompanied by an increase in the number, complexity and diversity of experimental animals developed as research tools, and inbred mice are some of the most widely used. However, thus far, no inbred mice have exhibited strong radioresistance for use in radiation‑damage research. To develop a radioresistant mouse model, a female Japanese outbreeding strain ICR/JCL mouse was mated with a male Chinese inbred strain 615 mouse. From the F1 generation, the mouse line was maintained by brother‑to‑sister mating. A novel mouse strain was established over >20 continuous generations and designated the Institute of Radiation Medicine-2 (IRM-2) mouse. The biological characteristics, genetic characteristics and susceptibility to radiation of these mice were determined. The IRM‑2 mice inherited traits from the parents, including strong reproductive capacity, stable physiological and biochemical indices and few differences among individuals. According to the genetic results, the IRM‑2 mice exhibited homozygosity, isogenicity and consistency, in agreement with international standards for inbred strains. Radiosensitivity studies have previously suggested that the lethal dose (LD)50 values for IRM‑2 mice were 7.17 Gy (male) and 7.5 Gy (female), resulting in a dose reduction factor value of 1.39 (male) and 1.37 (female). The mortality of IRM‑2 mice irradiated with 8 Gy total body irradiation was 15% at day 9 and 90% at day 15 after radiation. The number of nucleated cells in bone marrow, DNA content and colony‑forming unit‑spleen counts in IRM‑2 mice after exposure to γ‑ray irradiation were markedly higher than the corresponding values for the parental strains, suggesting that the IRM‑2 mice exhibit high resistance to ionizing radiation. Thus, it is suggested that this novel inbred mouse strain may be developed as an animal model of radioresistance for future use in radiation research.

Utilization of cytogenetic biomarkers as a tool for assessment of radiation injury and evaluation of radiomodulatory effects of various medicinal plants - a review

Systematic biological measurement of “cytogenetic endpoints” has helped phenomenally in assessment of risks associated with radiation exposure. There has been a surge in recent times for the usage of radioactive materials in health care, agriculture, industrial, and nuclear power sectors. The likelihood of radiation exposure from accidental or occupational means is always higher in an overburdened ecosystem that is continuously challenged to meet the population demands. Risks associated with radiation exposure in this era of modern industrial growth are minimal as international regulations for maintaining the safety standards are stringent and strictly adhered to, however, a recent disaster like “Fukushima” impels us to think beyond. The major objective of radiobiology is the development of an orally effective radio-modifier that provides protection from radiation exposure. Once available for mass usage, these compounds will not only be useful for providing selective protection against accidental and occupational radiation exposure but also help to permit use of higher doses of radiation during treatment of various malignancies curtailing unwarranted adverse effects imposed on normal tissues. Bio-active compounds isolated from natural sources enriched with antioxidants possess unique immune-modulating properties, thus providing a double edged benefit over synthetic radioprotectors. We aim to provide here a comprehensive overview of the various agents originating from plant sources that portrayed promising radioprotection in various experimental models with special emphasis on studies that used cytogenetic biomarkers. The agents will include crude extracts of various medicinal plants, purified fractions, and herbal preparations.

Essential oil composition of Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa: chemotypic and seasonal variations

BACKGROUND

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa is a sacred medicinal and nutraceutical tree of India. The present study planned to explore the chemotypic and seasonal variability of the leaf essential oil of A. marmelos from north India for proper industrial utilization.

RESULTS

The essential oil yield varied from 0.37% to 0.80% in leaves of A. marmelos populations. Analysis of the essential oils by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the subsequent classification by statistical analysis showed three types of chemical compositions for A. marmelos with significant variations in their terpenoid compositions. Major components of the essential oils were limonene (31.0-90.3%), α-phellandrene (<0.05-43.5%), (E)-β-ocimene (0.7-7.9%), α-pinene (<0.05-7.5%), (E)-caryophyllene (0.5-5.3%), β-elemene (<0.05-4.2%) and germacrene B (0.0-3.3%). In addition to this, essential oil of a locally growing A. marmelos population was also investigated for seasonal variations. The essential oil yield in this population varied from 0.37% to 0.82% during different seasons. Major constituents, namely α-phellandrene (35.8-49.8%), limonene (24.7-34.3%), (E)-β-ocimene (4.2-10.0%) and α-pinene (6.0-8.0%), showed considerable variations due to season of collection.

CONCLUSIONS

The growing location and harvesting season had a close relation to yield and quality of A. marmelos leaf essential oil. The results obtained are of significance for determining a suitable time for harvesting A. marmelos leaves.

Management of Radiation Injuries by Panax ginseng Extract

Chemical radiation protection is an important strategy to protect living beings against the deleterious effects of radiation. In the present study, the radioprotective effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Panax ginseng extract (PGR-HAE) was studied on radiation-induced deleterious alterations in Swiss albino mice. Oral administration of such extract (25 mg/kg b wt/day/animal) for 5 consecutive days, half an h. before whole-body exposure to 6 Gy gamma radiation, enhanced the 30 days survival and also inhibited the radiogenic sickness, weight loss and life shortening. PGR-HAE ameliorated radiation induced depletion in blood constituents at different necropsy intervals between 12 h to 30 d, and significantly increased the number of femoral spleen colony forming units that survived after irradiation. Furthermore, it checked depletion of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase) as well as elevation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) level in blood and liver. The significant reduction in the yield of LPO demonstrates that PGR-HAE protects the membranes against radiation-induced oxidative damage. These findings conclude that such plant extract provides significant radioprotection, and it may be potentially valuable in the prevention of injuries caused during planned and unplanned radiation exposure.

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (Bael) and Its Phytochemicals in the Treatment and Prevention of Cancer

Aegle marmelos, commonly known as Bael and belonging to the family Rutaceae is an important medicinal plant in the traditional Indian system of medicine, the Ayurveda. The extract prepared by boiling the bark, leaves or roots in water is useful as laxative, febrifuge, and expectorant. The extract is also useful in ophthalmia, deafness, inflammations, catarrh, diabetes, and asthmatic complaints. The fruits are used in treating diarrhea, dysentery, stomach ache, and cardiac ailments. Scientific studies have validated many of Bael’s ethnomedicinal properties and its potential antimicrobial effects, hypoglycemic, astringent, antidiarrheal, antidysenteric, demulcent, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, wound-healing, insecticidal, and gastroprotective properties. In addition, studies have also shown that Bael and some of the Bael phytochemicals possess antineoplastic, radioprotective, chemoprotective, and chemopreventive effects, properties efficacious in the treatment and prevention of cancer. For the first time, the current review summarizes the results related to these properties and emphasizes aspects that require further investigation for Bael’s safe and effective use in the near future.

Radioprotective effects of Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (Bael): a concise review

The effective use of radiotherapy in cancer cure and palliation is compromised by the side-effects resulting from radiosensitivity of bordering normal tissues, which are invariably exposed to the cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation during treatment. In this situation, use of radioprotective compounds that can protect normal tissues against radiation injury are of immense use. In addition to protecting normal tissue these compounds will also permit use of higher radiation doses to obtain better cancer control and possible cure. However, to date, no ideal radioprotectors are available as most synthetic compounds are toxic at their optimal concentrations and have produced little success in clinics. Radiation ill-effects are principally the result of generation of free radicals, and the antioxidant compounds that counter them are supposed to be of immense use in preventing them. In Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, several plants have been observed to avert/ameliorate free radical-mediated ailments--an effect that has been documented--and such plants have recently been the focus of attention. Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (Bael), commonly known as bael, has been used since antiquity for treating various ailments, some of which are now known to be the result of oxidative stress. In studies spanning nearly a decade, it has been observed that bael prevented radiation-induced ill-effects, and the results of these studies indicate that it has the potential to be an effective, nontoxic radioprotective agent. In this current review, for the first time, an attempt is made to summarize these observations and to discuss the plausible reasons responsible for bael's radioprotective effects.

Amelioration of radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in Swiss albino mice by Panax ginseng extract

BACKGROUND

This study was carried out to observe the radioprotective effect of Panax ginseng root extract (PGE) against radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in blood and liver of mice. Materials and methods. Adult Swiss albino mice were exposed to 6 Gy gamma radiation in the presence (experimental) or absence (control) of PGE to study the quantitative and qualitative alterations in the blood and liver.

RESULTS

Radiation exposure resulted in a significant decline (P<.001) in erythrocyte count, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) in peripheral blood. Maximum changes in all the parameters were observed on day 3 after irradiation. In contrast, PGE-pretreated irradiated animals showed a significant increase in erythrocyte, Hct, and Hb values compared with irradiated controls. Furthermore, a significant elevation in lipid peroxidation level over normal was recorded in irradiated control mice, whereas this increase was considerably lesser in PGE pretreated animals. Likewise, pretreatment with PGE caused a significant increase in glutathione levels in serum as well as in liver in comparison to irradiated controls.

CONCLUSION

From this study, it is clearly evident that PGE provides protection against radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in Swiss albino mice.

Amelioration of Radiation-induced Hematological and Biochemical Alterations by Alstonia scholaris (a Medicinal Plant) Extract

The radioprotective efficacy of a hydro-alcoholic extracted material from the bark of Alstonia scholaris (ASE) was studied in mice against radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations. Swiss albino mice were administered ASE (100 mg/kg body weight/d for 5 consecutive day) orally prior to whole-body gamma irradiation (7.5 Gy). Radiation exposure resulted in a significant decline ( P < .001) in erythrocytes and hemoglobin until the third day, following a gradual recovery (ie, day 7), but these values did not reach normal values during the remainder of the animals' life span. Hematocrit percentage declined significantly ( P < .001) until day 15. In contrast, ASE-pretreated irradiated animals had significantly higher erythrocyte, hematocrit, and hemoglobin values than the irradiated controls. Furthermore, a significant elevation in lipid peroxidation level over normal was recorded in gamma-irradiated mice, whereas this increase was considerably lower in ASE-pretreated animals. Pretreatment with ASE caused a significant increase in glutathione levels in serum as well as in liver in comparison to irradiated animals. This study showed that ASE protects against radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in Swiss albino mice.