Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to assess the radioprotective effect of nanoniosomes loaded by Mentha Pulegium essential oil (MPEO-N nanoparticles) as a natural antioxidant on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). SIGNIFICANCE: Despite the applications and advantages of ionizing radiation, there are many radiation risks to biological systems that are necessary to be reduced as much as possible. METHODS: MPEO-N nanoparticles were prepared by the lipid thin film hydration method, and its physicochemical characteristics were analyzed. PBMCs were then irradiated with X-ray using a 6 MV linear accelerator at two radiation doses in the presence of nontoxic concentrations of MPEO-N nanoparticles (IC10). After 48 and 72 h of incubation, the radioprotective effect was investigated by measuring survival, apoptosis, and necrosis of PBMCs, using MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. KEY FINDINGS: The hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential of nanoniosomes were 106.0 +/- 4.69 nm and -15.2 +/- 0.9 mV, respectively. The mean survival percentage of PBMCs showed a significant increase only at a radiation dose of 200 cGy compared with the control group. The percentages of apoptosis and necrosis of cells in the presence of MPEO-N nanoparticles at both radiation doses and incubation periods (48 and 72 h) demonstrated a significant reduction compared with the control. CONCLUSION: MPEO-N nanoparticles as a natural antioxidant, exhibited a favorable radioprotective effect by a significant reduction in the percentage of apoptosis and necrosis of irradiated PBMCs.