The effects of Teucrium polium on ionizing radiation-induced intestinal damage in rats

Background and study aims : Oxidative stress plays an important role in development of intestinal injury after abdomino-pelvic radiation therapy. Teucrium polium (TP) is a medicinal plant which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TP on radiation-induced intestinal oxidative damage in rats. Materials and methods : Group 1 (n = 8), the control group ; Group 2 (n = 8), the RAD (radiation) group in which each rat received a single whole-body 800 cGy radiation performed with a LINAC ; Group 3 (n = 8), the RAD + TP group in which rats were exposed to radiation as in Group 2, followed by intragastric admi- nistration of 0.5 g/kg/daily TP extract for 7 consecutive days ; and Group 4 (n = 8), the TP group, rats received only intragastric TP for 7 days. Results : Radiation led to intestinal damage, which was accom- panied by an increase in intestinal thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, and a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Although TP signifi- cantly decreased intestinal MPO levels and inflammation scores, it neither reverted intestinal TBARS and GSH levels nor ameliorated other histological parameters of the disease. Conclusions : Our results suggest that TP reduces inflammation but does not ameliorate the increased oxidative stress conditions in radiation-induced intestinal damage in rats. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2011, 74, 491-496).