Radioprotective activity of Dendrocalamus strictus extract: In vitro analysis of amelioration of Ionizing Radiation induced DNA damage

Abstract

Radio-protective agents have been the subject of intense research in view of their potential of use within a radiation environment such as space exploration, radiotherapy, power generation industry, nuclear war and especially in the case of radiotherapy of cancer it affects the normal tissue apart from the cancer tissue. In order to provide protection against harmful biological effect of radiation, which cause damages to DNA lipid and proteins we need ideal Radio-protector exposure to high amount of radiation cause damage to hematopoietic system, gastrointestinal system, and central nervous system depending on radiation doses. Till the date only one synthetic Radio-protector (i.e; Amifostine) is approved by the FDA but due to its limitations, as it can be helpful only head and neck cancer at their minimal doses, therefore it is limited in use. As a result there is no safe ideal natural Radio-protector is available. Natural Radio-protectors can be made from poly-herbal extract and plant extract due to its richness in flavonoids, alkaloids, phytosterols, phenolics and many more phytochemicals responsible for various medicinal values. In our study we choose bamboo leaf extract of species Dendrocalamus strictus which is rich in flavonoids like orientin can be considered as Radio-protective agents. We have carried out in vitro assessment of Radio-protective effect of bamboo leaf extract, the laboratory end points are: CBMN assay and COMET assay to assess the decrease in DNA damage following exposure to bamboo leaf extract. These cytotoxic endpoints are as per the standard guidelines of regulatory agencies that monitor methods related to genotoxicity.