Histopathological and Epigenetic Insights Into Radioprotective Effects of Homeopathic Cadmium Sulfuratum in Swiss Albino Mice

Epigenetic mechanisms regulating DNA gene expression have gained significant attention in recent years. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in these mechanisms by modulating gene activity and relaying information throughout the body. This study investigates the potential of a radioprotective homeopathic solution, ultra-diluted Cadmium Sulfuratum (UCS), to mitigate the acute side effects of radiotherapy by modulating miRNA expression. Radiotherapy, a crucial cancer treatment, unavoidably exposes normal tissues to radiation, often causing acute side effects such as bone marrow suppression and enteritis, which can lead to severe clinical conditions. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs can serve as biomarkers for predicting radiation-induced side effects before histopathological changes occur. This study investigated the histopathological effects of UCS on intestinal tissues and its impact on serum miRNA expression in Swiss albino mice exposed to total body irradiation (TBI) at 8 Gy. Specifically, seven miRNAs previously validated as biodosimeters were analyzed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) on the 2nd and sixth days post-irradiation. Additionally, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted on intestinal epithelial cells. Our results revealed that UCS application significantly altered the expression levels of miRNAs, including mmu-miR-150-5p, mmu-mir-320a-5p, mmu-mir-200b-5p, mmu-mir-30a-5p, and mmu-miR-29a-5p, compared to radiation-only groups. Histopathological evaluations demonstrated that UCS reduced radiation-induced damage to intestinal epithelial cells. In conclusion, UCS exhibited radioprotective properties by modulating miRNA expression and alleviating acute radiation-induced intestinal damage. These findings highlight the potential of UCS in epigenetic modulation and its application in mitigating the side effects of radiotherapy, providing a foundation for future clinical research.