Combination of podophyllotoxin and rutin modulate radiation-induced alterations of jejunal proteome in mice

Purpose: Gastrointestinal (GI) injuries post ionizing radiation (IR) becomes a crucial factor in survival. Thus, the current study was aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms behind IR produced GI proteome alterations and their amelioration by a safe radioprotective formulation candidate, G-003M (podophyllotoxin+rutin).

Materials and method: C57BL/6 mice were administered with G-003M 1 h before 9 Gy whole body γ irradiation. 2DE-MS analysis was conducted to identify differential expression of jejunum proteins with fold change >1.5 (p < .05) at various time-points.

Results: G-003M pre-administration decreased total number of differential proteins. It mediated protection to cytoskeleton, modulated stress, apoptosis and inflammatory proteins. Direct effect on eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4H (Eif4h), thioredoxin domain-containing protein 17 (Txndc17) and interferon-induced protein 35 (Ifi35) was observed. Bioinformatics depicted transcription factor-MYC, was also positively modulated by G-003M. Further, it also enhanced level of citrulline (ELISA analysis), and restored crypts and villi lengths (histological analysis) against severe damage caused by lethal irradiation.

Conclusion: Current findings reveal that G-003M may be an efficient candidate in protecting key proteins of metabolic and biochemical pathways assisting in the rapid recovery of GI proteome. This fairly improved the chances of animal survival exposed to lethal doses of whole body radiation.