SHIMAA F. HAMIEDA*#, AMAL I. HASSAN**, MONA I. ABDOU**, WAFAA A. KHALIL***, K.N. ABD-EL NOUR*
*Microwave Physics and Dielectrics Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
**Nuclear Research Center, Atomic Energy Authority, Egypt
***Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
Radioprotection with natural products may be relevant to the mitigation of ionizing radiation-induced damage in mammalian systems. This study was designed to investigate antioxidant activity of honey and propolis in vitro through determination of total phenol (TP), total flavonoid (TF) and free radical scavenging activity (RSA). In addition to, in an in vivo study, male rats were exposed to fractionated dose gamma irradiation (1 Gy every day up to 5 Gy total doses). Honey and propolis administrated at dose 250 and 90 mg•kg–1•day–1. The serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), urea, creatinine and total antioxidants capacity was estimated. Also hemoglobin of rats was investigated through UV absorption spectrum and dielectric measurements. The results indicated that total flavonoid, total phenol and free radical scavenging activity of propolis were greater than honey. AST, ALT, creatinine and urea significantly increased while total antioxidants significantly decreased after irradiation. Moreover the absolute values of permittivity ε’, dielectric loss ε” and ac-conductivity σac increased in addition to a pronounced decrease in the absorbance at Soret band after irradiation compared to control group. Administration of propolis induced a significant recovery of antioxidant balance in rats exposed to ionizing radiation. Indeed, decrease of AST, ALT, creatinine and urea levels decreased in these animals while total antioxidants significantly increased. Also, the values of ε’, ε” and σac were nearly close to those of control group compared to those treated with honey. Finally, the average value of peak height of Soret band was significantly increased compared to irradiated rat. It can be concluded that propolis can be more effective than honey in the protection against oxidative damage induced by ionizing radiation. Further investigations are required to elucidate mechanisms of propolis and honey actions.
Corresponding author’s e-mail: shimaafarag1982@yahoo.com
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