Objective: The study aims to investigate the protective role of pycnogenol extract against liver damage in whole-body gamma-irradiated rats by assessing DNA damage, histopathological changes and biochemical parameters.
Materials and Methods: Rats were irradiated to a single fraction 900 cGy dose of gamma radiation. The pycnogenol extract was dissolved 5% DMSO and daily administrated before starting irradiation. The pycnogenol was administered orally via a gastric tube at a dose of 37.5 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg in 24, 48 and 72 h before irradiation. Irradiation was applied single fraction using Cobalt-60 teletherapy device. The animals were divided into ten groups that included control, pycnogenol extract groups only irradiation group (γ-ray) and pycnogenol extract + γ-ray groups. DNA damage, histopathological changes, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver tissue of rats were evaluated three days after irradiation
Results: Our results obtained that pycnogenol extract was induced to liver damage depend on pycnogenol extract dose, but the pycnogenol extract + γ-ray groups were significantly ameliorated the changes induced in liver antioxidant system; CAT, SOD and MDA. Also, the P300+γ-ray was significantly reduced irradiation-induced liver injury and it was possible to observed significantly preservation in the histopathological evaluation. The pycnogenol extract groups were significantly increased to comet parameter depend on pycnogenol doses compared to control. The pycnogenol extract + γ-ray were significantly decreased the comet parameter compared to the γ-ray group.
Conclusion: The administration of pycnogenol extract might provide substantial protection against radiation-induced oxidative, DNA damage and histopathological changes in the liver.