Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Myrtus communis L. Leaves against Oxidative Susceptibility of Rat Plasma and Hemoglobin during Exposure to X-ray Radiation
Radiotherapy and Medical Physics Department, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Abstract
Background: Ionizing radiation such as X-rays generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and damage to biomolecules including hemoglobin and plasma proteins. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of the aqueous extract of Myrtus communis L. leaves against oxidative alterations caused by X-ray exposure. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control, X-ray exposed, and extract-treated plus X-ray exposed groups. The Myrtus communis extract (0.5 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days. Rats in the experimental group were exposed to 6 MV X-ray radiation, and blood samples were collected one hour post-exposure. Oxidative modifications of hemoglobin (Hb) were analyzed, and plasma oxidative stress markers including protein carbonyl (PCO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were measured. Artificial neural network (ANN) models were developed to identify key predictors of oxyhemoglobin (OxyHb) concentration. Results: X-ray exposure significantly increased levels of methemoglobin (metHb) and hemichrome (HMC), while reducing absorbance at 340 nm (globin–heme interaction), 420 nm (Soret band), 542 nm (OxyHb), and 577 nm (heme–heme interaction). Plasma MDA and PCO levels were also significantly elevated. MDA showed a negative correlation with OxyHb and a positive correlation with both metHb and HMC concentrations. Administration of Myrtus communis extract effectively mitigated these oxidative changes. ANN analysis revealed that absorbance at 577 and 560 nm, metHb levels, the A577/A542 ratio, and HMC were the strongest predictors of OxyHb concentration. Conclusions: The aqueous extract of Myrtus communis L. leaves offers significant protection against X-ray-induced oxidative damage to hemoglobin and plasma. Moreover, ANN models can effectively identify biomarkers associated with oxidative stress in irradiated blood, with potential clinical implications for radiotherapy patients.
Ansari, H. , Seif, F. and Bayatiani, M. R. (2025). Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Myrtus communis L. Leaves against Oxidative Susceptibility of Rat Plasma and Hemoglobin during Exposure to X-ray Radiation. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, (), -.
MLA
Ansari, H. , , Seif, F. , and Bayatiani, M. R. . "Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Myrtus communis L. Leaves against Oxidative Susceptibility of Rat Plasma and Hemoglobin during Exposure to X-ray Radiation", Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, , , 2025, -.
HARVARD
Ansari, H., Seif, F., Bayatiani, M. R. (2025). 'Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Myrtus communis L. Leaves against Oxidative Susceptibility of Rat Plasma and Hemoglobin during Exposure to X-ray Radiation', Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, (), pp. -.
CHICAGO
H. Ansari , F. Seif and M. R. Bayatiani, "Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Myrtus communis L. Leaves against Oxidative Susceptibility of Rat Plasma and Hemoglobin during Exposure to X-ray Radiation," Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, (2025): -,
VANCOUVER
Ansari, H., Seif, F., Bayatiani, M. R. Protective Effects of Aqueous Extract of Myrtus communis L. Leaves against Oxidative Susceptibility of Rat Plasma and Hemoglobin during Exposure to X-ray Radiation. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2025; (): -.
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