In vivo Time-Dependent Radio-Protective Effect of Lycopene Against Whole-Body Gamma Radiation in Mice

Abstract

Background: Ionizing radiation has become an essential part of modern medicine. However, applying the effective dose of ionizing radiation is compromised by its inevitable radiation-induced damage to normal tissues. Natural products with free radical scavenging, antioxidant activities, and immune stimulatory effects offer suitable radio-protective effects. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the in vivo radio-protective activity of lycopene, a naturally dietary carotenoid, against whole-body gamma-irradiation-induced mortality and sickness in mice. Methods: In this animal experimental study, lycopene was extracted from tomato paste, characterized, and then administered to mice. Consecutively, 80 healthy adult male mice were recruited and irradiated individually, and then monitored for irradiation sickness and survival parameters. Results: Pretreatment with 7 mg/kg dose of lycopene 7 days before irradiation was found to reduce the severity of symptoms of radiation sickness in a 30-day post-radiation monitoring. Lycopene treatment increased the survival rate. At the radiation dosage of 8 and 9 Gy, the difference between the survival rates of control and sample groups became significant after day 15 and 25. Lycopene was also shown to have a protective effect on white blood cell count against 8 and 9 Gy gamma radiations. Conclusions: Natural and exhibiting whole-body radio-protective activity, lycopene can be proposed as an effective radio-protector in healthy people who are exposed to radiation, such as radiographers, nuclear pharmacists, and radiologists.

Protective Capacity of Fusarium oxysporum Extract Against Gamma Radiation. Study for Some Biochemical Parameters in Albino Male Rats

“…The irradiation induced injures ,in the most cases, started within the first week . [27] There were detectable decreases in RBCs, HGB , Ht, WBCs, platelets, Monocytes and segmented neutrophils in all rat groups exposed to 4 Gy gamma irradiation when compared to the positive control group . On the other hand, lymphocytes, MCV, and MCH increased significantly as the rats exposed to the single irradiation dose, while MCHC indicated non-significant changes due to irradiation treatment (Fig.…”

“…[2] Fusarium oxysporum extracts, as natural products, can be considered less or non-toxic with free radical scavenging capability, antioxidant capacity, immune stimulatory impacts and have the advantages, as biomaterials, over their synthetic counterparts. [27]…”

Effect of Garlic, Stinky Bean, Dogfruit, Tomato Extracts, and N-acetylcysteine on Rats after 5 Gy Irradiation

“…The possible mechanisms by which carotenoids quench singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) and other excited species. 1 O 2 can bind to the lycopene molecule, converting it to the energy rich triplet state [31].…”