THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF CUCURBITS AGAINST RADIATION INDUCED INFLAMMATION AND DAMAGE IN MICE GUT

Whole body or local irradiation to gut is known to induce significant damage to gut epithelium and crypt stem cells. A large population of microbes in the gut remains unaffected. We hypothesize that the modifications in diet and enteric microbial population may provide a non-toxic mechanism to counter radiation induced health deficit, especially in the gut and therefore investigated the effect of dietary cucurbits in this context. Radio-protective effects of Lagenaria (Ls), Cucurbita (Cp) and Luffa (Lc) were evaluated in mice for cytokines (in jejunum tissues) through ELISA and intestinal villi microscopically. Irradiation of mice increased pro-inflammatory biomarkers NAP-3, IFN-γ and IL-17 and decreased anti-inflammatory biomarkers IL-10, IL-4 and TGF-β. Post-irradiation treatment with cucurbit extract (Ls, Cp or Lc) decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines NAP-3, IFN-γ and IL-17 and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, IL-4 and TGF-β in mice. Treatment with cucurbits restored structural integrity of villi in irradiated mice. Various antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules present in cucurbits, their positive effects on probiotics and host tissues and microbial fermentation of dietary fibers may mitigate radiation induced damage. The cucurbits, as non-toxic anti-inflammatory agents and nutrition enhancer can be helpful in irradiated and inflamed systems.