A Wee Study on Behavioural, Organ Somatic Index and Histological Alterations of the Fresh Water Fish Pangasius sutchi in Response to Protection Studies, Exposed to Gamma Radiation Perceived by Genotoxic Assays: New Perspectives

The aim of the present study was to evaluate radio-protective effect of Gymnema sylvestre and its
active compound gymnemagenin against gamma radiation(60Co) in Pangasius sutchi. The fishes were
treated with lowest concentration of amifostine (83.3 mg/kg of b.wt.), G. sylvestre plant-extract (25
mg/kg of b.wt.), and gymnemagenin (0.3 mg/kg of b.wt.) as intramuscular injection one hour prior to
exposure of gamma radiation. The result revealed destructive histological alteration of irradiated
fishes compared to pre-treatment group of amifostine, G. sylvestre, and gymnemagenin. Similarly,
behavioural changes and organ somatic index also showed variations among the irradiated and pretreatment
groups which might reflect metabolic and physiologic disturbances under the effect of
radiation. The pre-treatment of G. sylvestre showed similar result as compared to amifostine which
indicates the existence of radio-protective properties in the plant.