Protective Effects of Citrullus vulgaris on Irradiated Lymphocyte Submembrane

Authors

  • Khairul Osman Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Norashikin Md.Saad Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Ezlan Elias Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Jamaludin Mohamed Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Siti Fatimah Ibrahim Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
  • Proom Proomwichit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Keywords:

Radioprotection, Citrullus vulgaris, free radical, actin, lymphocytes, antioxidant

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the radioprotective effects of Citrullus vulgaris on the lymphocyte sub-membrane particularly the actin layer. A total of 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three equal groups of positive control, negative control and treatment. The positive and negative control groups were force fed with 40 ml/kg body weight of normal saline while the treatment group received 40 g/kg body weight of fresh juice of C. vulgaris daily. After a week the positive control and treatment groups were irradiated with 90 rad gamma radiation. Viable lymphocytes were determined using propidium iodine and acridine orange stain and observed under a fluorescent microscope. The percentage of viable lymphocytes of the treatment group (71.0%; p = 0.03) was significantly higher than the positive control group. The results showed that C. vulgaris possessed radioprotective effects because the lymphocyte actin was not damaged. The radioprotection effects could be due to the presence of antioxidants in C. vulgaris.

Author Biographies

Khairul Osman, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Department of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Allied Health Sciences

Norashikin Md.Saad, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Department of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Allied Health Sciences

Ezlan Elias, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Department of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Allied Health Sciences

Jamaludin Mohamed, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Department of Biomedical SciencesFaculty of Allied Health Sciences

Siti Fatimah Ibrahim, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Department of PhysiologyFaculty of Medicine

Proom Proomwichit, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Diagnostic, Imaging and Radiotherapy UnitFaculty of Allied Health Sciences

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Published

2005-06-30

Issue

Section

Articles