Role of natural antioxidant mediated cellular radiation response

Need for the development of radioprotector was felt after witnessing the disastrous effects of ionizing radiation since World War II. Ionizing radiation is fatal for all living beings. Formation of free radicals (reactive oxygen species) are believed to be the prime reason for various cellular and molecular damages and death of cells. Different chemical agents having ability to quench these free radicals were selected logically for the development of radiation counter measure agents. WR2712 is the first FDA approved clinical cytoprotector, however acute toxicity necessitated search of safe chemical radiation countermeasure agents. Natural antioxidants possess strong antiradical properties and relatively less toxic and therefore currently persuaded for development of radioprotector. The objectives were to undertake a comprehensive mechanism based selection of suitable natural antioxidant compounds and evaluate their antiradical properties using standard assays. Further, validation of the radioprotective efficacy of selected antioxidant in vitro models and investigation in cell lines for elucidation of mechanism underlying radioprotection. Results of modified antiradical assays (ABTS, DPPH, ORAC and FRAP) suggested strong potential of sesamol in comparison to fifteen different antioxidants. Further comparative in vitro studies, prior treatment of antioxidant showed strong potential of sesamol with dose modifying factors of 10 (plasmid DNA) and 3 (V79 cells). The corresponding dose modifying factor of melatonin was 5 and 1.3 respectively. Furthermore, sesamol decreased radiation induced apoptosis, chromosomal aberration, cell cycle arrest, oxidative damages, mitochondrial depolarization in HEK293 cells. The mechanism of radioprotection proposed to be due to enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and balance in cellular redox together with scavenging of free radicals by sesamol. Due to these potential of sesamol, further evaluation in preclinical models are required for development of radioprotector. (author)