Radioprotective effects of Dragon's blood and its extract against gamma irradiation in mouse bone marrow cells

Purpose: The radioprotective effects of Dragon's blood (DB) and its extracts (DBE) were investigated using the chromosomal aberrant test, micronucleus and oxidative stress assay for anti-clastogenic and anti-oxidative activity. Materials and methods: Adult BALB/C mice were exposed to the whole body irradiation with 4Gy ⁶⁰Co γ-rays. DB and DBE were administered orally once a day from 5 days prior to irradiation treatment to 1 day after irradiation. The mice were sacrificed on 24h after irradiation. The cells of bone marrow were measured by counting different types of chromosomal aberrations and the frequency of micronuclei. Oxidative stress response was carried out by analysis of serum from blood. Results: DB and DBE significantly decreased the number of bone marrow cells with chromosome aberrations after irradiation with respect to irradiated alone group. The administration of DB and DBE also significantly reduced the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCE) and micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MNCE). In addition, DB and DBE markedly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the level of antioxidant molecular. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in serum were significantly reduced by DB and DBE treatment. Conclusions: Our data suggested that DB and DBE have potential radioprotective properties in mouse bone marrow after ⁶⁰Co γ-ray exposure, which support their candidature as a potential radioprotective agent.