Reversal of Radiation Induced Alterations in Rat Tissues by Ethanolic Extract of Carob pods (Ceratonia Siliqua L)

Carob Tree; Leguminosae family, is widely cultivated in the Mediterranean area, considered as an important component of plant for economic and environmental reasons. The carob pods extraction was performed using various solvent systems, in order to evaluate and optimise the conditions for the recovery of polyphenols. Maximum quantities of polyphenolic components were found in 70% ethanol extracts, as evaluated by measuring total polyphenols content. Animals were categorized into 4 groups; control. Carob, rats were supplemented daily with ethanol carob pods extract (ECPE), 200 mg/ kg body wt, by gavages for 14 days. Irradiation, rats whole body exposed to 4 Gy (one shot). Carob + irradiation, rats were supplemented with ECPE for 7 days before and 7 days after exposure to 4 Gy gamma-rays. Metals; iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were raised in liver, brain and testes tissues. Also, gamma-rays-induced biochemical disorders manifested by significant elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA), with decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content, catalase (CAT) activity and nitric acid oxide (NO) in liver, brain and testes tissues. In addition, serum lipid fraction levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were augmented, while high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) showed a decrease. The levels of total proteins, albumin and globulin were declined in serum and acid phosphatase showed an increase, when compared with both control and carob treated groups. ECPE supplementation prior and after γ-irradiation ameliorates all parameters alteration occurred in serum and various tissues, suggesting the existence of a compensatory increase of antioxidant defence. It could be postulated that ECPE as a multi-functional dietary supplement, could exert a modulator role in the gamma-rays-induced oxidative stress through its antioxidant properties.