Antioxidant activity of mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruits in male rats exposed to gamma- radiation

This study was designed to investigate the possible ameliorative effects of mulberry fruits on oxidative damage induced by γ-irradiation in male rats. Gammairradiation (2.5 Gy x 3 delivered every other day) resulted in a significant decrease of hepatic glutathione content (GSH) and the activity of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The level of insulin and testosterone as well as the concentration of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) showed a decrease. A remarkable increase of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and xanthine oxidase activity was elevated in the liver. The activity of some liver enzymes, the level of glucose and the concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low densityand very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a significant increase. Administration of mulberry fruit powder (MFP) to γirradiated rats was found to offer protection against γ-irradiation induced oxidative stress by elevating the activity of antioxidant enzymes, enhancing liver function in addition to improving the lipid metabolism. From all results collected in this study, it could be concluded that the berries might be considered a natural antioxidant substance that can protect from radiation hazards.