Cytoprotective Effect of Podophyllum hexandrum Against Gamma Radiation is Mediated via Hemopoietic System Stimulation and Up-Regulation of Heme-oxygenase-1 and the Prosurvival Multidomain Protein Bcl-2

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Abstract
The radioprotective effect of a hydroalcoholic extracted material (REC-2000) from the rhizome of Podophyllum hexandrum was studied in mice exposed to lethal γ radiation (10 Gy). The extract (REC-2000) was found to restore the hemoglobin content (14.73 ± 0.33) and total leukocyte count (TLC) (4166.66 ± 0.02) in lethally (10 Gy) γ-irradiated mice on the 15th day in comparison to the radiation control mice. The hemoglobin content of the drug + radiation group was observed to be significantly (21.25%) higher than the radiation control group on the 10th day. Similarly, the TLC was significantly increased (83.33 times) in the drug + radiation group as compared to a radiation (10 Gy) only group on the 10th day. Enhanced expression of heme-oxygenase-1 and Bcl-2 protein observed by Western blotting further supports the observation of hemopoietic recovery in irradiated mice. These findings indicate that the bioactive constituents present in REC-2000 exert the radioprotective effect by modulating the hemopoietic system.