Effect of ocimum flavonoids as a radioprotector on the erythrocyte antioxidants in oral cancer

Abstract

Flavonoids extracted from the leaves of Indian holy basil, Ocimum sanctum showed promising results as radioprotector in rodents. Hence it was thought pertinent to analyze the antioxidants of erythrocytes in oral cancer patients who were concurrently treated with radiation and ocimum flavonoids. Oral cancer patients consisted of 2 groups. Group A(n=17) received radiation alone while Group B(n=17) received radiation and ocimum flavonoids(OF). Samples of heparinised blood were collected prior to treatment, 15 and 30 days respectively after treatment. Blood from normal healthy volunteers were taken as controls (n=25). Erythrocytes were analyzed for the antioxidants viz. glutathione, glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase by the standard methods. Results of analysis indicated that erythrocytes from cancer patients (Group A and B) had significantly high glutathione levels before as well as after treatment compared to controls. It was observed that Group B which received OF showed a significant reduction in glutathione levels in comparison with Group A. All the other parameters showed no statistical significant changes.Results of the study suggest that enjthrocytes from cancer patients responded to oxidative stress by elevating glutathione levels, while a decrease in glutathione levels observed in Group B, could be due to the free radical scavenging effect of OF, sparing the glutathione. However OF did not seem to exert its effect on other antioxidants of erythrocytes.

Potent radioprotective effect of herbal immunomodulator drug (IMOD) on mouse bone marrow erythrocytes as assayed with the micronucleus test

“…Because of their low toxicity, botanical and natural products have been evaluated for their radioprotective potentials. Plants containing polyphenolic compounds ( 34,35) , Naringenin (36) , -lavonoids of Rosa roxburghii Tratt (37) , ocimum -lavonoids (38,39) have shown antioxidative activities and protect genetic material from ionizing radiation. Radioprotective effect of all tested herbal products were attributed to their antioxidant properties.…”

Studies on Bioresource based Seed Production Modules in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.)

“…The inoculation of bio-fertilizer like Rhizobium increases the number of such microorganisms in the soil rhizosphere and consequently improves the extent of microbiologically fixed nitrogen for plant growth (Saxena and Singh, 2019). The inoculation of AM fungi in soil also helped in enhancing the plant growth thereby resulting into early flowering (Sharma et al, 2005). The effect of seed inoculation with Rhizobium increased number of branches and showed a significant and positive result in improving nitrogen nutrient contents of plant (Malav et al, 2018).…”

Molecular Mechanisms of Malignant Transformation of Oral Submucous Fibrosis by Different Betel Quid Constituents—Does Fibroblast Senescence Play a Role?

“…In addition, the administration of flavonoids to mice treated with radiation results in increased antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased lipid peroxidation by the scavenging of hydroxy radicals [78]. Reshma et al [79] examined the effect of flavonoids on erythrocyte antioxidant defence potential in oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients and showed that erythrocytes from cancer patients responded to oxidative stress by increasing glutathione levels, whilst a decrease in glutathione levels was observed in the group receiving both radiotherapy and ocimum flavonoids.…”