THE HERBAL PREPARATION ABANA PROTECTS AGAINST RADIATION-INDUCED MICRONUCLEI IN MOUSE BONE-MARROW

The induction of micronuclei was studied in mouse bone marrow treated or not with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg b.wt. of abana (a herbal preparation) b efore exposure to 0-3 Gy of gamma-radiation. Whole-body irradiation of mice resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of micron uclei. Treatment of mice with various doses of abana before exposure t o different doses of gamma-rays resulted in a significant reduction of the micronucleus frequency at all exposure doses. The highest decline in the frequencies of micronuclei was observed after administration o f 20 mg/kg abana, where the frequency of micronuclei was approximately 4-fold less than that of the concurrent control. The PCE/NCE ratio wa s significantly higher in the drug-treated group compared to DDW + irr adiated control and it was almost restored to normal level after admin istration of 20 mg/kg abana. Our results demonstrate that abana protec ts mice against radiation-induced micronucleus formation and radiation -induced decline in cell proliferation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.