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C5-P: RADIOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ECHINACEA PURPUREA ON HUMAN BLOOD CELLS
G. Joksić (1), A. Leskovac (1), I. Joksić (2), S. Petrović (1)
1 Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences
2 Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics “Narodni Front”, Belgrade, Serbia
The aim of this study was to investigate radioprotective properties of Echinacea purpurea extracts when applied in vivo. We analyzed lymphocyte chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, apoptosis of leukocytes and haematological parameters in a group of radiation workers who were identified as carrying dicentric chromosomes in their lymphocytes.
All radiation workers were taking two 275 mg Echinacea tablets (Ehinacea®, Strong Nature, Serbia), twice a day, according to a pharmacist’s recommendation. Each tablet contains Echinacea purpurea dry extract standardized at 8.3 % of total phenolic content (calculated in terms of chlorogenic acid units). All parameters were analyzed before and after the two-week treatment.
At the end of the treatment lymphocyte chromosome aberrations frequency dropped significantly, and the number of apoptotic cells increased. The yield of radiation-induced micronuclei was reduced, mainly by stimulating apoptosis, which is a radiorecovery effect. This effect is important, particularly for long-lived chromosomal aberrations, which could lead to the overexpression of oncogenes and to cancer development. Furthermore, the two-week treatment with Echinacea purpurea restored a balance between haematological parameters. The inverse lymphocyte-to-granulocyte ratio at the beginning of the study changed to normal at its end.
Echinacea owes its powerful radioprotective effects to the scavenging capacity of phenolic compounds caffeic acid, cichoric acid, and echinacoside. Phenolic compounds from the Echinacea species are reported to possess immunomodulatory properties such as enhancement of monocyte- macrophage activity [1]. In our study, monocyte count and apoptotic ability of leukocytes clearly increased, which looks promising for helping recovery after irradiation.
In conclusion, biological effects observed after administration of Echinacea purpurea preparation suggest that it may be beneficial for the prevention of adverse health effects in workers exposed to ionizing radiation.
References
- J.A. Rininger, S. Kickner, P. Chigurupati, A. McLean, Z. Franck J Leukoc Biol, 2000, 68, 503-510.
