Radio-modifying potential of Saraca indica against ionizing radiation: An in vitro study using Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79) cells

This study demonstrated the radioprotective efficacy of extracts prepared from stem bark of Saraca indica (SI) against X-rays induced cellular damage, which was evaluated by a battery of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, apoptotic, and biochemical assays using Chinese hamster fibroblast (V79) cells. Cell viability and surviving fraction were increased significantly when V79 cells were preconditioned with optimal concentration of hydroalcoholic extract (HE; 50μg/mL) of SI for 2h prior exposure to X-rays. Radiation induced cellular damage was correlated with a significant elevation in intracellular ROS and increased mitochondrial depolarization and loss of intracellular antioxidant enzymes. However, cells preconditioned with 50μg/mL of HE reversed this effect. Pretreatment of HE resulted in inhibition of radiation induced GSH, GST, SOD, catalase levels, and lipid peroxidation to that of radiation-alone treated group. Also, a significant decrease in radiation induced DNA damage, apoptotic and necrotic cell death was observed in case of cells preconditioned with HE. Supporting to this HPLC analysis indicated the presence of ellagic acid as one of the major phytochemical present in HE. Thus, the maintenance of cellular redox status by pretreatment with HE, conferred protection of cellular DNA, oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals generated by the cellular irradiation and resulted in increased in cell survival may be attributed to the presence of ellagic acid indicating SI's radioprotective potential.