Protection against radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion by Centella asiatica

Radiations are known to cause behavioural perturbations like conditioned ta ste aversion (CTA), performance decrement, learning, etc., even at very low doses. The manifestation of radiation-induced behavioural degradation has not been understood well and requires further studies. Therefore, the effec ts of low-dose whole-body Co-60 gamma -irradiation in male rats were studie d in terms of body weight and CTA learning. For CTA, the consumption of sac charin solution was considered as a parameter To protect against the advers e effects of radiation, Centella asiatica (aqueous extract) was tested and compared with ondansetron, a standard antiemetic drug. A dose of 2 Gy incur red significant body weight loss [t(9) = 9.00, P < .05] and induced CTA in rats [t(26) = 9.344, P < .01]. Administration of C. asiatica (100 mg/kg bw ip, 2 Gy, - 1 h) rendered significant radioprotection against radiation-ind uced body weight loss and CTA that became evident on the second postirradia tion day [t(7)= 0 .917, P much greater than .05; t(7) = 4.016, P > .05]. On dansetron (1 mg/kg bw) elicited higher degree of protection against CTA [t( 7)= 3.641, P > .05] than C. asiatica [t(7) = 7.196, P > .05] on the first p ostirradiation day, but on the second postirradiation day, both were equall y effective [t(7) = 3.38, P > .05; 1(7) = 4.01, p > .05]. In case of C. asi atica-treated animals, however, there was a consistently declining CTA from the second to the fifth postirradiation day whereas in ondansetron-treated animals it was inconsistent. Present investigation suggests that C. asiati ca could be useful in preventing radiation-induced behavioural changes duri ng clinical radiotherapy. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserve d.