Effect of synergistic dose of tender coconut water and trans-zeatin on radiation induced memory impairment in Swiss albino mice

Studies suggest that exposure to ionizing radiation induces impairment in the behavior like locomotor y and cognitive changes in mice. Previous published results suggest tender coconut water (TCW) is having good antioxidant property and can act as effective radio protector whereas trans-Zeatin being a prominent cytokine present in the TCW can act as radiation mitigator. Present study aims to check whether the combination of a protector and mitigator significantly ameliorates the memory impairment induced due to exposure to whole body Electron Beam Radiation (EBR). The learning ability in the mice was assessed using 8 armed radial maze. The study included 3 groups with 10 mice each. Here group 1 served as control, group 2 served as radiation control and group 3 served as treatment group which received synergistic dose of 200 µl TCW and 200 mg/kg body weight of trans-Zeatin 5 days before exposure to 6 Gy radiation. Time taken to perform the task and number of mistakes performed during the task was considered as a parameter to assess learning ability in mice. Each mouse was trained for 2 days after irradiation to perform the task followed by 6 days of unaided test. Each mice was given 5 minutes to complete the task. Results suggest significant decrease in time taken to complete the task and number of mistakes done during the task when compared with the radiation control group. Thus it can be concluded that treatment with the synergistic dose of TCW and trans-Zeatin showed significant improvement in the cognitive changes in mice exposed to whole body EBR. (author)