An Ayurvedic Preparation Amalakyadi Churna Protects against Radiation Induced Micronuclei in Mouse Bone Marrow

The radioprotective efficacy of the ethanolic extract of Amalakyadi churna (an Ayurvedic formulation) was studied against the induction of micronuclei in the bone marrow cells of whole body irradiated (4Gy γ-rays) Swiss albino mice. Amalakyadi churna (AC) is a powdered mixture of equiproportions of fruits of Phyllanthus emblica L (Euphorbiaceae), Piper longum L (Piperaceae), Terminalia chebula Retz (Combretaceae), roots of Plumbago zeylanica L. (Plumbaginaceae) and rock salt. In Ayurvedic system of medicine, this churna, is widely, used as carminative, digestive, appetizer, purgative etc. Treatment of mice with various doses ie., 30, 40 and 80mg/kg b.wt. intraperitoneally of Amalakyadi churna before exposure to 4Gy of γ-radiations (RT) resulted in a significant reduction of the micronucleus frequency. The highest decline in the frequencies of micronuclei was observed after administration of 30 mg/kg Amalakyadi churna. Where as, the frequency of micronuclei was approximately more than ten folds less than that of the irradiated standard control and it was restored to normal level after administration of 30mg/kg b.wt. of Amalakyadi churna. The results of the present study clearly demonstrate that Amalakyadi churna protects mice against radiation induced micronucleus (MN) formation and radiation induced decline in cell proliferation.