Proactive Role of Garlic and Lycopene Extract against Gamma Irradiation-Induced Alterations in Antioxidant Defense Systems in theBrain of Rats

Radiation protection concepts and philosophy have been evolving over the past several decades. The inadvertent exposure of human from various source of radiation causes Ionization of molecules, setting off potentially damaging reactions via free radicals production. Garlic, Allium sativun, is a member of the lily family that has been cultivated by humans as a food plant for over 10,000 years. Ancient Egyptian used garlic as a remedy for a variety of diseases. Lycopene is a naturally occurring carotenoid found almost exclusively in tomatos and tomato products and the red pigments of the tomato. Lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants among dietary carotenoids, it exhibits the highest antioxidant activity and singlet oxygen quenching ability of all dietary carotenoids. Aim The present study aims to investigate the antioxidative activity of garlic and lycopene extract on the oxidative stress in the damaged brain tissue, irradiated with a single dose of 15 Gy. Material and Methods Animals were pretreated with garlic or lycopene by orally administration using suitable stomach tube for one month prior to radiation exposure. The levels of malondialdhyde (MDA), glutathione content (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were estimated in brain tissue. Results The results revealed that exposure to ionizing radiation resulted in significant elevation in the levels of MDA and (GSH-Px) as well as, significant reduction in SOD, CAT activities and GSH content. Conclusion Administration of garlic or lycopene by using suitable stomach tube pre-irradiation has significantly ameliorated the radiation induced disturbances in all of the investigated parameters.