Galangin Ameliorates Gamma Radiation-induced DNA Damage and Subsequent Chromosomal Aberrations in Human Blood Lymphocytes

Background Natural compounds with radioprotective properties have gained attention due to their potential to reduce health risks associated with radiation exposure. Galangin (GA), a flavonoid recognized for its antioxidant activity, has been investigated for its capacity to alleviate oxidative stress. Objectives This study aimed to explore the radioprotective effects of GA against gamma radiation-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs), dicentric chromosomes (DCs), and cytokinesis-block micronuclei (CBMN) in human blood lymphocytes. Materials and Methods Human blood peripheral lymphocytes (HBPLs) were treated with varying concentrations of GA (1, 5, and 10 µM) for 24 h before being exposed to gamma radiation (3 Gy). Following radiation exposure, the cells were incubated for another 24 h to evaluate deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage. Cytogenetic assays were performed to measure DC and CBMN frequencies, while DSBs were assessed using γ-H2AX analysis. Additionally, the phosphorylation of ATM (p-ATM) was analyzed through Western blotting, and DNA repair gene expression was examined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array. Statistical methods were employed to analyze the data and determine the significance of GA’s protective effects. Results Gamma radiation exposure markedly increased the incidence of DCs and CBMN in HBPLs in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with GA, however, significantly reduced these effects in a concentration-dependent fashion. GA also decreased radiation-induced DSBs, as demonstrated by reduced levels of γ-H2AX and p-ATM. Furthermore, GA-treated cells exhibited a downregulation of DNA repair-related gene expression compared to cells exposed solely to radiation. Among the tested concentrations, 10 µM GA provided the greatest protective effect. Discussion GA effectively mitigates gamma radiation-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes by lowering the incidence of DSBs, DCs, and CBMN. The protective effects appear to be mediated through modulation of the DNA damage response and the reduction of oxidative stress. Conclusion This study highlights GA’s potential as a radioprotective agent and suggests its relevance in radiation therapy and preventive applications. Further research is warranted to fully elucidate its mechanisms and therapeutic potential.