Restorative role of persimmon leaf (Diospyros kaki) to gamma irradiation-induced oxidative stress and tissue injury in rats.

To evaluate the efficacy of persimmon leaf extract (PL (as a rich plant source) in modulation of radiation-induced liver injury and some metabolic variations in gamma-irradiated rats.

PL at a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight (P1000) was administered to male albino rats via gastric intubation for 15 days after whole body γ-irradiation (6 Gy).

Irradiated rats showed significant decreases in hepatic glutathione content (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) activities with significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) level and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity designating oxidative stress. In parallel significant increases in serum aspartate and alanine transaminase (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) activities and bilirubin content were recorded indicating liver injury. In addition, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and dyslipidemia (elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and Atherogenic Index and decreased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol) were recorded. PL treatment has significantly attenuated radiation-induced oxidative stress in hepatic tissues concomitant with significant amelioration of liver function and metabolic disturbances.

It is concluded that PL may have therapeutic potential to alleviate the severity of radiation-induced liver injury, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and dyslipidemia.