Radioprotective Effect of Quercetin Post-Treatment against γ-Irradiation-Induced Hepatocellular and Hematopoiectic System Damage in Mice

This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of quercetin against radiation-induced hepatocellular and hematopoiectic damage in BALB/c mice. Mice were exposed to 6 Gy of γ-radiation and orally administered quercetin (25, 50 mg/kg b.w.) for 7 consecutive days. γ-Irradiation caused marked elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, levels as well as reduction of spleen index, thymus index, and the number of white blood cells. In addition, γ-irradiation induced significant elevation of lipid peroxidation as well as reduction of antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. However, post-treatment with quercetin resulted in a significant recovery of all of these parameters. These results suggest that quercetin acts as a potent radioprotector against irradiation-induced cellular damage in mice.