Effect of Tinospora cordifolia on gamma ray-induced perturbations in macrophages and splenocytes.

Tinospora cordifolia (RTc) has already been reported to protect whole-body lethally irradiated mice. This study has focussed on certain aspects of immuno-competence, which are adversely affected by irradiation. This study included estimation of spleen size, cell count, DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in splenocytes. The adherence, spreading and phagocytic activities of macrophages were also assessed. Cytokines in serum and anti-oxidants in plasma were also estimated. Administration of RTc (200 mg/kg.b.wt.) one hour before irradiation showed recovery of spleen weight from 49% of control in irradiated group to 93%; apoptosis from 19% to 2.8%; DNA fragmentation from 43% to 20.4%; macrophage adherence form 75% of control to 120% and macrophage spread size from 8 microm to 15 microm. RTc also stimulated proliferation in splenocytes in a dose-dependent manner. RTc administration before irradiation also increased levels of IL-1beta and GM-CSF levels, from 56 pg/ml and 53 pg/ml respectively in irradiated group to 59 pg/ml and 63 pg/ml. Similarly, radiation-induced decrease of anti-oxidant potential of plasma (32 Fe(2+) equiv.) as compared to control (132 Fe(2+) equiv.) was countered by administration of RTc before irradiation (74.2 Fe(2+) equiv.) RTc treatment thus reveals several radio-protective mechanisms.