Histological Alterations in the Spleen of Gamma-Irradiated Mice Induced by Adhatoda vasica Leaf Extract

Extract of Adhatoda vasica leaves has been used for treatment of various diseases and disorders in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. Effect of ethanolic extract of A. vasica against gamma radiation induced changes in terms of histological alterations in spleen in Swiss albino mice was studied at post-irradiation intervals between 1 and 30 days. Mice exposed to 6 Gy gamma radiation showed radiation induced sickness including marked changes in histology of spleen. When ethanolic leaf extract of A. vasica was given orally at a dose of 900 mg/kg body weight prior to irradiation showed a significant protection. Mice were divided into four groups i. e. (i) control group (ii) mice given 900 mg/kg body wt. of A. vasica extract orally (iii) mice exposed to gamma radiation (6Gy) and (iv) A. vasica extract treated plus irradiated group. There was significantly lesser degree of damage to extract treated plus irradiated spleen. But there was higher degree of alterations in irradiated spleen architecture