Protective effect of Symplocos racemosa roxb against gamma radiation induced cardiotoxicity in male albino rats

The present study aims to evaluate the influence of the ethanol extract of symplocos racemosa (eesr) on γ-rays-induced cardiac lesions. thirty two male albino rats were divided into four equal groups as follows: control group,rats were administered saline (1ml/rat) orally by gastric tube for 14 days. irradiated group (animals whole body exposed to a single shot dose γ-rays (10 gy),treated group (rats received 200 mg/kg body weight eesr once daily,orally for two weeks),and treated irradiated group (rats received 200 mg/kg body weight eesr once daily,orally for two weeks,then one hour post the last treatment,were exposed to radiation. the results revealed that administration of eesr to rats pre-irradiation significantly reduced the severity of radiation-induced elevation of tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,interleukin 6 and serum creatine phosphokinase,lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate amino transferase activities,total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels,high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol,creatine kinase-mb and cardiac troponin 1. moreover eesr treatment elevates cardiac catalase and superoxide dismutase activities while reducing malondialdehyde level compared to irradiated group. the histopathological results showed distinctive patterns of myocardial injuries in irradiated group,while in treated-irradiated group the myocardial tissues showed minimum injury. in conclusion,eesr modulates γ-rays induced cardiac lesions in male albino rats. copyright 2016 zoological society of pakistan.