Introduction: According to the various independent studies conducted, it is well evident fact that radiation induces oxidative stress in the living system. It is also proved that this oxidative stress will lead to the various behavioural changes such as anxiety and memory impairment. Kinetin is one of the important plant cytokine with anti-aging properties. However, very few studies were conducted to check its potential in ameliorating the behavioural changes induced by the ionizing radiation.
Aim: This study was aimed to check the potential of kinetin in ameliorating the radiation induced behavioural changes in albino mice.
Materials and methods: In this study, survival analysis was performed using three different dose of kinetin intervention along with, one radiation control group and one normal control group (n=50). Based on the cumulative survival rate, single effective dose of kinetin was selected and used to evaluate the behavioural changes induced by radiation. The open field apparatus was used to evaluate the anxiety level (n=18, six in each group). Eight armed radial maze was used to evaluate the memory and learning ability in mice model.
Results: Survival study results suggest 100 mg/kg body weight of kinetin showed highest cumulative survival rate. Therefore, this dose was selected as an effective drug dose for further study. Analysis also showed 6 Gy whole body electron beam radiation had significantly increased anxiety level, increased duration to complete the task as well as mistakes done during the task. Further, kinetin intervention had significantly ameliorated the same.
Conclusion: A 100 mg/kg body weight of kinetin intervention helps in reducing the anxiety and improves the learning ability in mice exposed to electron beam radiation.
Keywords: Anxiety; Oxidative stress; Radial maze.