The effects of myricitrin and chebulinic acid on the rat hippocampus exposed to gamma radiation: A stereological, histochemical and biochemical study

Aim

Gamma radiation, a form of ionizing radiation, is used in many different areas, especially in the health field and in the treatment of cancer. However, gamma radiation used for therapeutic purposes also has numerous harmful effects on human health. This study was planned to investigate the impacts of exposure to gamma radiation on the hippocampal area and the preventive effects of myricitrin and chebulinic acid against that damage.

Material and method

Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into six groups. The control group was exposed to no treatment. The chebulinic acid and myricitrin groups were injected with the relevant drug at a dosage of 0.033 mg/kg) (vehicle; normal saline) per day. The gamma groups were placed in a plexiglass test setup with their heads positioned close to the source. The subjects were exposed to radiation with a mixed source containing radioactive Cs-137 and Co-60 isotopes obtained from Ondokuz Mayıs University Physics Department Nuclear Physics Laboratory for 1 h. Gamma radiation was applied 16 mGy for one hour per day for 10 days. The gamma radiation+chebulinic acid and the gamma radiation myricitrin groups also received 0.033 mg/kg per day of these drugs via injection. Immediately after the experimental procedure, all animals were subjected to behavioural tests, and perfused brain tissues were analyzed using stereological methods.

Results

Stereological analysis showed that gamma radiation caused a decrease in the numbers of neurons in the hippocampal area (p < 0.01; One-way ANOVA) and that chebulinic acid and myricitrin reduced this decrease (p < 0.01; One-way ANOVA). Decreases in learning and memory capacity were detected in behavioural tests in rats from the Gamma group.

Conclusion

The study findings showed that that the adverse health effects of Gamma radiation can be ameliorated using myricitrin and chebulinic acid. Myricitrin was more effective in terms of cell proliferation and defence against oxidative stress than chebulinic acid, and exhibited a more neuroprotective effect. However, more detailed analyses should be performed before using either antioxidant for therapeutic purposes.