Protective Effects of Eunsiho (Stellaria dichotoma) Extract in Radiation InducedBone Marrow Damage Mouse Model

Background: We evaluated the effects of Stellaria dichotoma extract (SDE) on bone marrow injury following radiation exposure in mice.<br/>Methods and Results: SDE improved the survival rate after lethal dose irradiation. Mice were irradiated with a sublethal dose of 5 Gy to induce severe myelosuppression. The treatments were administered ten times from 9 d before irradiation until the day of exposure. SDE administration resulted in a significant decrease in the duration of neutropenia compared to that in vehicle-treated animals. SDE significantly ameliorated the decrease in peripheral neutrophils observed in the irradiated mice experiencing myelosuppression. However, no effect was observed on lymphocyte or red blood cell levels. Notably, SDE treatment ameliorated the hypocellularity and disruption of bone marrow caused by irradiation. Furthermore, SDE reduced the radiation-induced increase in FLT3 ligand levels.<br/>Conclusions: Overall, SDE treatment effectively reduced irradiation-induced myelosuppression.