Alleviation of radiation-induced genomic damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by active principles of Podophyllum hexandrum: an in vitro study using chromosomal and CBMN assay.

This study was aimed to evaluate the protection against radiation of human peripheral blood lymphocytic DNA by a formulation of three isolated active principles of Podophyllum hexandrum (G-002M). G-002M in various concentrations was administered 1h prior to irradiation in culture media containing blood. Radioprotective efficacy of G-002M to lymphocytic DNA was estimated using various parameters such as dicentrics, micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB) and nuclear buds (NuB) in binucleated cells. Certain experiments to ascertain the G2/M arrest potential of G-002M were also conducted. It was effective in arresting the cells even at half of the concentration of colchicine used. Observations demonstrated a radiation-dose-dependent increase in dicentric chromosomes (DC), acentric fragments, MN, NPB and NuB upto 5Gy. These changes were found significantly decreased by pre-administration of G-002M. A highly significant dose modifying factor (DMF) 1.43 and 1.39 based on dicentric assay and cytokinesis block micronuclei assay, respectively, was observed against 5Gy exposure in the current experiments. G-002M alone in its effective dose did not induct any change in any of the parameters mentioned above. Observations on cell cycle arrest by G-002M showed that the formulation has potential in arresting cells at G2/M, compared with colchicine. Based on significant DMF at highest radiation dose (5Gy) studied currently and meaningful reduction in radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations, we express that G-002M has a potential of minimising radiation-induced DNA (cytogenetic) damage.