Modulatory Effect of Adhatoda vasica Leaf Extract against ?-Irradiation in Pectoralis Muscle of Mice

Adhatoda vasica, a popular Indian medicinal plant, has long been used commonly in Ayurvedic system of medicine. The plant has been found to possess diverse number of pharmacological activities. Oral administration of Adhatoda vasica (A. vasica) extract (900 mg/kg body weight) prior to irradiation showed a significant protection. Mice exposed to radiation (4Gy) without A. vasica extract pre-treatment exhibited sign of radiation sickness like anorexia, lethargicity and ruffled hairs. Mice were divided into four groups i.e. (i) control group (ii) mice given 900 mg/kg body weight of A. vasica extract orally (iii) mice exposed to gamma radiation (4Gy) and (iv) A. vasica extract treated plus irradiated group. Histopathological changes in mice pectoralis muscle has been investigated under normal, extract treated, irradiated, plant extract plus irradiated groups.There was significantly lesser degree of damage to extract treated plus irradiated muscle. But there was higher degree of damage to irradiated muscle architecture. A significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) content and increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level was observed in irradiated animals. However, A. vasica extract pretreated irradiated animals exhibited a significant increase in SOD content and decrease in LPO level.