Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the in vivo radioprotective effects of Myrtus communis (MC) on the gastrointestinal system. METHODS: A total of 30 female rats were divided into four groups: i) Control; ii) irradiation (IR) only; iii) MC-pretreated; and iv) MC-treated. The rats received oral MC extract (100 mg/kg/day) for 4 days before exposure to 10 Gy IR or continued until sacrifice. On the fourth day of IR exposure, the rats were sacrificed, and histopathological and biochemical analyses were performed on the ileum, pancreas, and liver tissues. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels decreased in both MC-treated groups, while glutathione levels and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity increased (p<0.01), with significant histopathological improvements compared to the IR-only group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that MC significantly decreases ionizing radiation-induced oxidative and inflammatory damage in the gastrointestinal systems of rats. Therefore, it may be regarded as a new candidate with radioprotective potential for future clinical application.