Ionising radiation causes
free radical-mediated damage in cellular
DNA. This damage is manifested as
chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei (MN) in proliferating cells.
Sesamol, present in sesame seeds, has the potential to scavenge
free radicals; therefore, it can reduce radiation-induced cytogenetic damage in cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the radioprotective potential of
sesamol in bone marrow cells of mice and related haematopoietic system against radiation-induced genotoxicity. A comparative study with
melatonin was designed for assessing the radioprotective potential of
sesamol. C57BL/6 mice were administered intraperitoneally with either
sesamol or
melatonin (10 and 20mg/kg
body weight) 30 min prior to 2-Gy whole-body irradiation (WBI) and sacrificed after 24h. Total
chromosomal aberrations (TCA), MN and cell cycle analyses were performed using bone marrow cells. The comet assay was performed on bone marrow cells, splenocytes and lymphocytes. Blood was drawn to study haematological parameters. Prophylactic doses of
sesamol (10 and 20mg/kg) in irradiated mice reduced TCA and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte frequency in bone marrow cells by 57% and 50%, respectively, in comparison with radiation-only groups.
Sesamol-reduced radiation-induced apoptosis and facilitated cell proliferation. In the comet assay,
sesamol (20mg/kg) treatment reduced radiation-induced comets (%
DNA in tail) compared with radiation only (P < 0.05).
Sesamol also increased granulocyte populations in peripheral blood similar to
melatonin. Overall, the radioprotective efficacy of
sesamol was found to be similar to that of
melatonin.
Sesamol treatment also showed recovery of relative spleen weight at 24h of WBI. The results strongly suggest the radioprotective efficacy of
sesamol in the haematopoietic system of mice.