Protective Effect of Picrorhiza kurroa Against Gamma Radiation and Mercuric Chloride-Induced Jejunal Injury in Swiss Albino Mice

Rajeeve Purohit; Parul Garg; R.K.Purohit

Protective Effect of Picrorhiza kurroa Against Gamma Radiation and Mercuric Chloride-Induced Jejunal Injury in Swiss Albino Mice

Author(s)	Mr. Rajeeve Purohit, Parul Garg, R.K.Purohit
Country	India
Abstract	Abstract Ionizing radiation is an important therapeutic modality in cancer treatment; however, exposure to radiation may produce significant injury to normal tissues, particularly the rapidly proliferating cells of the gastrointestinal tract. The small intestine is highly radiosensitive and may undergo severe structural and biochemical alterations following irradiation. Environmental and occupational exposure to heavy metals such as mercury may further aggravate tissue injury. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective efficacy of Picrorhiza kurroa against gamma radiation- and mercuric chloride-induced alterations in the jejunum of Swiss albino mice. Healthy adult Swiss albino mice aged 6–8 weeks were divided into experimental groups receiving mercuric chloride, gamma radiation, combined radiation and mercuric chloride, and corresponding treatments with Picrorhiza kurroa. Mercuric chloride was administered at 0.5 ppm through drinking water, while animals were exposed to sublethal doses of 2.5 Gy or 5.0 Gy gamma radiation from a Cobalt-60 source. Picrorhiza kurroa extract was administered orally at 150 mg/kg body weight/day, beginning seven days before irradiation and/or mercuric chloride exposure and continuing until the final autopsy interval. Animals were examined at 1, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days after treatment. Histological parameters included villus length, goblet cell number, mitotic activity, abnormal mitoses, dead cells and total crypt cell population. Biochemical parameters included total proteins, cholesterol, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, DNA and RNA. Radiation and mercuric chloride produced marked histopathological and biochemical alterations in the jejunum. The combined treatment produced more severe changes than either treatment alone, indicating a synergistic detrimental effect. Radiation-induced changes were dose dependent, with greater severity at 5.0 Gy. Treatment with Picrorhiza kurroa considerably reduced the severity of tissue damage and promoted earlier recovery. The drug-treated groups demonstrated earlier restoration of villus length, goblet cell population, mitotic activity, crypt cell population, DNA, RNA, protein and cholesterol levels, together with comparatively rapid normalization of enzyme activities. The findings indicate that Picrorhiza kurroa possesses significant protective potential against radiation- and mercuric chloride-induced jejunal injury. Its protective action appears to involve multiple biological mechanisms. Picrorhiza kurroa may therefore represent a promising natural agent for reducing radiation-associated intestinal injury.
Keywords	Picrorhiza kurroa; Kutki; gamma radiation; mercuric chloride; jejunum; radioprotection; enteroprotection; Swiss albino mice; histopathology; DNA; RNA.
Field	Biology > Zoology
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 4, July-August 2026
Published On	2026-08-16

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Protective Effect of Picrorhiza kurroa Against Gamma Radiation and Mercuric Chloride-Induced Jejunal Injury in Swiss Albino Mice

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