Prevention of Mutagenesis, Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in first Generation Male Rats whose Parents are Exposed to Gamma Radiation and Hexavalent Chromium

Abstract

Introduction: Children exposed to radiation chemical agents or born to exposed parents faced elevated risks of stochastic pathologies, including genetic disorders, tumours, and leukaemia. These risks were attributed to mutations and latent genomic damage caused by such exposures. Methods: This six-month experimental study at NAO ZKMU in Kazakhstan evaluated Burdock Root Oil's protective effects against gamma radiation and hexavalent chromium-induced damage in 100 Wistar rats, analyzed using Statistica 10.Results: The findings revealed that the offspring of parents exposed to combined chromium and gamma irradiation (Cr⁶⁺ + γ) exhibited a 33% increase in micronuclei (6.3 ±1.16‰, P ≤ 0.01) compared to controls (4.56 ± 1.18‰), indicating significant genotoxicity. Burdock Root Oil reduced micronuclei levels to 5.34 ± 0.792‰ (P≥ 0.05), comparable to control levels. Chromosomal aberrations in the Cr⁶⁺+ γgroup increased by 54% (2.77 ± 0.537%, P ≤ 0.001), while Burdock Root Oil reduced total aberrations by 19.5% (P ≤ 0.005). Markers of oxidative stress showed significant improvement; superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased by 16.7%, catalase by 22.6%, and sulfhydryl groups by 23% (P≤ 0.05), while malondialdehyde levels decreased by 16% (P ≤ 0.05). The SH/MDA ratio increased by 45% (P ≤ 0.05).Conclusions: Burdock Root Oil effectively mitigated genotoxic, oxidative, and inflammatory effects in the offspring of parents exposed to gamma radiation and chromium. It restored immune balance, reduced oxidative stress, and preserved genomic stability