Protective effects of Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai extract on radiation-induced oxidative stress in immune cells

Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai is a type of edible bamboo grass distributed on Jeju Island, Korea. S. quelpaertensis has been used as afolk medicine for treatment of a variety of ailments. It has been reported to present biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. In this study, we demonstrate that S. quelpaertensis Nakai extract (SNE) rescues immunocytes from gamma radiation-induced apoptosis and oxidative DNA damage. We examined the cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, DNA damage, apoptosis, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mice given SNE for 45 days in immune cells. To determine the splenocytes protection capability of SNE, gamma-ray was irradiated to the whole body of C57BL/6 mice. Our results suggest that SNE stimulated the proliferation of splenocytes without cytotoxic effects. In addition, SNE not only decreased DNA damage but also reduced apoptosis of splenocytes, and attenuated the production of ROS generation in hydrogen peroxide-induced splenocytes. Therefore, SNE can protect against gamma radiation-induced damage in mice.