CHEMOPREVENTIVE ACTION OF EMBLICA OFFICINALIS AGAINST RADIATION AND CADMIUM INDUCED HEPATIC LESIONS IN SWISS ALBINO MICE.

In the present study an attempt has been made to explore radiation and cadmium induced histological alterations in mice liver and their modulation by Emblica officinalis fruit Extract (EOE). For this purpose mice were selected from Inbred colony and divided into five different groups. Group: Ι (Sham-irradiated group) considered as normal; II (cadmium chloride treated group) in this group animals were administered 20 ppm cadmium chloride orally as drinking water; III (irradiated group) animals were exposed to 3.5 Gy gamma radiation; IV (Both radiation and cadmium treated group); V (Radiation, cadmium and Emblica treated group) in this group animals were given 1000 mg/kg body wt/animal/day EOE continuously for seven consecutive days, prior to radiation and cadmium chloride treatment and on the 7^th day animals were irradiated after 30 minutes of extract administration. The animals from the above groups were autopsied by cervical dislocation after 1, 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days and liver were removed and prepared for light microscopy. The liver cells of irradiated and cadmium treated group showed granular vacuolar cytoplasm with pyknotic and crenated nuclei, moderate dilation with most of the compacted hepatocytes, large area of cellular infiltration and hyperaemia of liver sinusoid. In the EOE treated group, the majority of hepatocytes returned normal, although some had still mild changes. After combined treatment of radiation and cadmium the changes were more severe showing synergistic effect. An early and fast recovery was also noticed in the EOE treated animals which may be due to the protection by drug.