Radiation protective effect of an extract from Chelidonium majus

• Published in: International journal of hematology 2003-10, Vol.78 (3), p.226-232
• Main Authors: SONG, Jie-Young, YANG, Hyun-Ok, SHIM, Ji-Young, JI-YEON-AHN, HAN, Young-Soo, JUNG, In-Sung, YUN, Yeon-Sook
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Marrow Cells - drug effects; Bone Marrow Cells - radiation effects; Chelidonium - chemistry; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gamma Rays; Hematopoietic System - cytology; Hematopoietic System - drug effects; Hematopoietic System - radiation effects; Immune System - cytology; Immune System - drug effects; Immune System - radiation effects; Immunomodulators; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Radiation-Protective Agents - pharmacology; Spleen - cytology; Spleen - drug effects; Spleen - radiation effects; Whole-Body Irradiation - mortality
• ISSN: 0925-5710; 1865-3774
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02983799

We earlier reported that CM-AIa isolated from Chelidonium majus had mitogenic activity, generated lymphokine-activated killer cells, and increased the number of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFC). In an extended effort to search for other immunostimulatory effects, we evaluated the protective effects of in vivo injected CM-AIa against irradiation. CM-AIa was found to increase the number of bone marrow cells, spleen cells, GM-CFC, and platelets in irradiated mice. In addition, this agent induced endogenous production of cytokines such as interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, which are required for hematopoietic recovery. We also demonstrated that CM-AIa treatment 24 hours before irradiation protected mice with 80% survival at lethal dose 100/15. These findings indicate that CM-AIa may be a useful agent for reducing the time needed for reconstitution of hematopoietic cells after irradiation treatment.