Turmeric extract decreased frequency of polychromatic erythrocytes micronuclei induced by iodine-131

Background: Ionizing radia on irradiated from iodine-131 can induce DNA damage and cell death. The cellular DNA damage is the cause of muta on and cancer. The micronucleus assay in polychroma c erythrocytes was applied to assess the radio-protec ve effect of Turmeric extract on genotoxic poten al of iodine therapy. Materials and Methods: Thirty six male albino rats were randomly divided in six groups. A single dose (200 or 500 mg/kg) of Turmeric extract was injected to the rats 30 min before iodine therapy. Iodine-131 (5.55 MBq) was administrated intra peritoneal to the experimental animals. The percentage of micronuclei in PCE, NCE and ra o of PCE / (PCE + NCE) was determined 48 h a6er iodine injec on for each experimental group to assess iodine-131 radia on effects with or without Turmeric extract. Results: Iodine therapy showed a significant increase in the number of micronucleus forma on. The animals treated with different doses of Turmeric extract + iodine showed a significant reduc on in the frequency of micronucleus compared to the animals treated with iodine-131 alone. Both doses of Turmeric extract had the same effect when injected 30 min prior to iodine therapy. Conclusion: Our results indicate protec ve effect of Turmeric extract against gene c damages induced by iodine-131 administra on.