Radiation injury poses a serious threat to human health, causing complex and multifaceted damage to cells and tissues. Such injury can be caused by various factors, including nuclear accidents, medical radiation therapy, and space travel. Currently, finding effective treatment methods and drugs to mitigate the harmful effects of radiation injury on the human body is a crucial research direction. This study aimed to explore the protective effects and mechanisms of Licochalcone B (Lico B) on radiation-induced cell damage and radiation-induced mortality in mice.
Methods
HaCaT cells, THP-1 cells, and HAEC cells were irradiated with a 10 Gray (Gy) dose of X-rays, while RAW 264.7 cells were irradiated with a 10 Gy dose of γ-rays. The cells were pre-treated with Lico B for 2 h before irradiation, and samples were collected 2 h after irradiation. Cell proliferation viability, oxidative stress levels, DNA damage, expression levels of inflammatory factors, matrix metalloproteinases, guanylate cyclase, and iron death-related factors were measured. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to total-body irradiation with a dose of 8 Gy or a combined dose of 6 Gy + 8 Gy of γ-rays to induce radiation injury. Lico B was injected intraperitoneally one day before irradiation and then administered for two consecutive days, with continuous observation for 20 days.
Results
Mechanistically, Lico B significantly improved antioxidant levels, reduced DNA damage, and lowered the expression of inflammatory factors in HaCaT, THP-1, HAEC, and RAW 264.7 cells. Therapeutically, Lico B increased cell proliferation capacity and significantly extended the survival time of irradiated mice, demonstrating a strong radioprotective effect.
Conclusions
Lico B exhibits significant radioprotective effects and may serve as a potential radioprotective agent.
Full text:
https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2835-6357/FIM-2024-00031
The study was recently published in the Future Integrative Medicine .
Future Integrative Medicine (FIM) publishes both basic and clinical research, including but not limited to randomized controlled trials, intervention studies, cohort studies, observational studies, qualitative and mixed method studies, animal studies, and systematic reviews.
