Radioprotective effect of ethanolic extract of <i>Alocasia indica</i> on γ-irradiation-induced reproductive alterations in ovary and uterus

Evaluation of the modulatory effect of ethanolic extract of <i>Alocasia indica</i> tuber (EEAIT) against γ-irradiation induced ovarian and uterine toxicity. Extract preparation was done by 80% hydro-ethanol using Soxhlet apparatus. EEAIT was administered to female Swiss albino mice (<i>n =</i> 5) daily (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight/d) for 7 days before γ-irradiation exposure (2.9 Gy). FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone, cytokine levels, and oxidative stress parameters were measured after 24 hours of γ-irradiation. Histology, folliculogenesis, viability of granulosa cells, ROS measurement by flow cytometry, western blot of P450scc, P45017A1, 3β HSD and SF 1 were also performed. In addition, fertility status was assessed by fecundability and fecundity. The results showed that EEAIT exhibit a strong radioprotective activity by reducing the oxidative stress and thereby restored the ovarian and uterine alterations. EEAIT also improved the abnormality in follicle development, restored altered gonadal hormones and cytokines levels, increase the fertility status, reducing ROS level of granulosa cells with increasing granulosa cells viability and steroidogenic enzyme activity as compared to control. So EEAIT showed a radioprotective effect on γ-irradiation induced ovarian and uterine damage. Our results suggested that <i>Alocasia indica</i> tuber can be a potential radioprotector to prevent female infertility.

本研究评估了尖尾芋（Alocasia indica）块茎乙醇提取物（EEAIT）对γ射线辐照诱导的卵巢与子宫毒性的调控效应。提取物采用索氏提取器，以80%水乙醇溶液制备得到。在接受2.9 Gy γ射线辐照前7天，每日以200 mg/kg和400 mg/kg体重的剂量，向每组n=5的雌性瑞士白化小鼠给予EEAIT。辐照后24小时，检测卵泡刺激素（Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, FSH）、黄体生成素（Luteinizing Hormone, LH）、雌激素、孕酮、细胞因子水平以及氧化应激相关参数。此外还开展了组织病理学检查、卵泡发生分析、颗粒细胞活力检测、流式细胞术检测活性氧（ROS）水平，以及对P450scc、P45017A1、3β-羟类固醇脱氢酶（3β-HSD）和类固醇生成因子1（SF1）进行蛋白免疫印迹（Western Blot）分析。另外，通过受孕率与生育力评估小鼠的生殖状态。结果显示，EEAIT可通过减轻氧化应激发挥显著的辐射防护活性，进而修复辐照诱导的卵巢与子宫组织损伤。与对照组相比，EEAIT还可改善卵泡发育异常，恢复紊乱的性腺激素与细胞因子水平，提升生殖状态，降低颗粒细胞内ROS水平，同时提高颗粒细胞活力与类固醇生成酶活性。综上，EEAIT对γ射线辐照引发的卵巢与子宫损伤具有辐射防护作用。本研究结果表明，尖尾芋块茎有望成为预防雌性不孕症的潜在辐射防护剂。