RADIOPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF ALOE VERA AGAINST RADIATION AND CADMIUM MEDIATED ALTERATIONS IN DIFFERENTIAL LEUCOCYTE COUNT OF SWISS ALBINO MICE

Haematopoietic system is among the most radiosensitive part in the body and it has a highest cell turn over. Aloe vera has been claimed to contain several important therapeutic properties including anticancer effects, antioxidant effects, mutagenesis and immunemodulation. Various studies showed the prevention of radiation induced suppression of immunity by Aloe vera components. Having these unique properties, Aloe vera could be used in clinical field as a protector against radiation and heavy metal toxicity in human beings. For the purpose, six to eight weeks old male Swiss albino mice were divided into seven groups. Control groups (II to IV) were administered cadmium chloride at the dose of 20ppm ad libitum and irradiated at the dose rate of 3.5 Gy and 7.0 Gy. Experimental animals (V to VII) were given Aloe vera with heavy metal and radiation alone as well as in combination. Five animals from each group (II to VII) were autopsied by cervical dislocation at each post-treatment interval of 1, 2, 4,7,14 and 28 days. The differential leucocyte count was estimated . The value of lymphocytes declined up to day-14 in control groups and day-7 in the Aloe vera treated groups. The values of monocytes and granulocytes percentage increased up to day-14 in the control animals and day-7 in the drug treated animals. Thereafter, a decrease in the value was noted and continued up to day-28.