Bamboo Leaf Extract Ameliorates Radiation Induced Genotoxicity: An in Vitro Study of Chromosome Aberration Assay

Abstract

Introduction: Bamboo species are a rich source of antioxidative phytochemicals, hence can be studied for radioprotective efficacy. This study aims to determine the antioxidant activity and radioprotective effects of leaf extracts from four Indian bamboo species, Phyllostachys parvifolia, Bambusa arundinacea, Bambusa vulgaris and Dendrocalamus strictus, against γ-radiation. Methods: Antioxidant activity of bamboo leaf extract (BLE) was estimated by various assay such as 2,2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl assay, Hydrogen peroxide assay, Nitric oxide radical scavenging assay and Lipid peroxidation. Normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured with four concentrations of hydroalcoholic BLE (3,5,7 and 9 µg/ml) from the bamboo species for 30 mins prior to γ-radiation of 4 Gy or 6 Gy doses. Following this Chromosome Aberration (CA) assay and Dicentric Analysis (DCA) was performed to assess the degree of protection against radiation induced cytogenetic damage by the extracts. Results: The results indicate that all the BLE exerted potent antioxidant activity and the highest antioxidant activity was exhibited by BA and DC species. The CA and DCA assay indicated a significant reduction in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the cultures pre-treated with the extracts and 9 µg/ml showed the lowest genetic damage as well as least frequency of dicentric chromosomes. Conclusion: BLE can be a good source of natural antioxidants. Administration of BLE prior to radiation exposure provided considerable protection in terms of reduction of in vitro radiation induced cytogenetic damage. This study also forms a basis for further analysis of the possible mode of action of the extract.