Alteration of lethal effects of gamma rays in Swiss albino mice by Tinospora cordifolia

Abstract

Tinospora cordifolia is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines. It is known for its immunomodulatory, antihepatotoxic, antistress and antioxidant properties. It has been used in combination with other plant products to prepare a number of Ayurvedic preparations. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the radioprotective effect of an aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia (TC) against (60)Co gamma radiation. Oral administration of TC 5 mg/kg body wt to Swiss albino mice 1 h and 15 days prior to whole body radiation exposure (8 Gy) produced a significant protection in terms of survival percentage. After oral administration of TC 10 mg/kg body wt/day to mice 7 days prior to whole body irradiation (8 Gy) there was no mortality until day 13 and 50% of the animals survived until day 30. Mice exposed to radiation (8 Gy) without TC pretreatment exhibited signs of radiation sickness such as anorexia, lethargy, ruffled hair, diarrhoea and these animals died within 14 days of irradiation. The results from the present study suggest that Tinospora cordifolia has a radioprotective effect in Swiss albino mice, thereby enhancing the survival of mice against a sublethal dose of gamma radiation.

Augmentation of Antioxidant Defense System by Tinospora cordifolia: Implications in Radiation Protection

“…2B). Some earlier studies by like that of Pahadiya and Sharma (2003) have also reported the radioprotective properties of Tinospora.…”

Medicinal Plants and Cancer Chemoprevention

“…The methanol extract of Tinospora contains phenylpropanoids, norditerpene furan glycosides, diterpene furan glycosides and phytoecdysones [37]. The roots of T. cordifolia are also reported to contain other alkaloids like choline, tinosporin, columbin, isocolumbin, palmatine, tetrahydropalmatine and magnoflorine [38–40]. …”

Ayurveda as an Adjuvant Medication for Combating Cancer: A Review

“…Palmatine enhance the antioxidant enzyme levels for antioxidant enzyme activity like GSH, SOD, catalase, and inhibited lipid peroxidation hence showing its role in detoxification pathway. Both enzyme activities and histological analysis suggest that environmental carcinogens that induce skin carcinogenesis can be inhibited by oral administration of palmatine in the daily diet to achieve protection against skin cancer and can inhibit papilloma growth [44] (Table 1). As an adjuvant therapy: Tinospora is effective for prevention of mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer receiving Radiotherapy [45].…”