Radioprotection and Radiomitigating Potential of Markhamia Tomentosa Extract Against Gamma Radiation-Induced Damage on Albino Wistar Rats

Introduction: This study evaluated the efficacy of Markhamia tomentosa (MT) extract as a potential radiation countermeasure emphasising its radioprotective and radiomitigating properties.Material and Methods: Forty male albino Wistar rats aged 10-12 weeks were used for the study. Rats were divided into eight groups comprising five animals in each group. The extract was administered for 14 days by oral gavage for both pretreatment and post-treatment. An hour after the last pre-administration, animals received 3 Gy and 6 Gy of gamma radiation by whole-body irradiation (WBI) using 60Co-γ as the radiation source. Rats were euthanised on day 15 for hematological and histological examinations except those in post-treatment groups. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA and subjected to Tukey’s HSD post hoc test.Results: WBI of rats at 3 Gy and 6 Gy significantly reduced the hematological parameters. However, the oral administration of MT extract ameliorated the effect of ionising radiation by considerably improving the hematological parameters leading to high blood counts. Continuous administration of MT extract for additional 14 days showed a more remarkable improvement in the hematological parameters, as evident in the white blood cell, neutrophils and platelet counts. Pre and post-treatment of rats with MT extract decreased changes in the kidney tubules, and the liver showed moderate congestion of hepatic sinusoids in the portal tracts denoting an increased blood flow rate causing healing of the cells.Conclusion: MT demonstrated its radioprotective and radiomitigating potential in recovering distorted tissues and modulating the effects of gamma radiation-induced damage to blood cells.