Radiation induced oxidative stress and its toxicity in testes of mice and their prevention by Tinospora cordifolia extract

BackgroundReproductive dysfunctions induced by various environmental toxicants are the prime concern in the today's changing global scenario. Living systems are constantly exposed to ionizing radiation that cause cellular as well as genetic alterations leading to mutations and cell death. To evaluate the deleterious effects of low dose of gamma radiation on testicular tissue and their possible inhibition by Tinospora cordifolia root extract (TCE).MethodsOne group of Swiss albino mice was exposed to 2.5 Gy gamma radiation to serve as the irradiated control, while the other group received TCE (75 mg/kg b. wt./day) orally for 5 consecutive days half an hour before irradiation to serve as experimental.ResultsIrradiated animals experienced more severe testicular histopathological lesions and a considerable depletion in different spermatogenic cell counts as compared to that of normal animal. Furthermore, TCE pretreatment effectively prevented radiation-induced alterations in body weight, tissue weight, weight index, tubular diameters and anti oxidative parameter viz. lipid peroxidation, glutathione and catalase activity in testes and restored almost a normal structure of testes.ConclusionT. cordifolia root extract can be potentially used as an effective radio-protector against radiation induced testicular injuries in mammals.