Citrus extract protects mouse bone marrow cells against gamma-irradiation

With respect to radiation damage to humans, it is important to seek possible radioprotectants to modify the normal response of biological systems to radiation-induced toxicity or lethality. For this reasons, the search for less-toxic radiation radioprotectants has spurred interest in the development of different compounds. The radioprotective effects of citrus extract were investigated by using the micronucleus test for anticlastogenic and cell proliferation activity. In this study, three doses of citrus peel extract were used prior to gamma rays. Mice bone marrow cells were prepared and stained with Giemsa/mayGranwald. Micronuclei PCEs were scored with microscpe. A single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of citrus extract (Citrus aurantium var.amara) at 250, 500, 1000 mg/kg body weight 1 h prior to ?-ray irradiation (1.5 Gy) reduced the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCES) and normochromatic erythrocytes (MnNCES). All three doses of citrus extract significantly reduced the frequencies of MnPCEs and MnNCEs in mice bone marrow compared to non-drug-treated irradiated control (p