Protective effect of Carica papaya leaf extract against dental pulp damage induced by gamma irradiation.

High doses of ionizing radiation have biohazard effects on living tissues, causing severe inflammation followed by some burns and may cause damage. In the current model for radiation damage effect on the dental pulp of rats. Herein, an extract of the leaves of Carica papaya was examined for its potential protective effect on dental pulp damage caused by Gamma irradiation. Thirty adult male rats were utilised in this study and allocated into five groups (n = 6). The extract’s total antioxidant activity, oxygen radical antioxidant capacity, and iron II chelating activity were quantified. Phytochemical analysis of the extract was conducted utilising LC–ESI–MS/MS, chromatographic separation, and NMR spectroscopy. The extract’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties against radiation-induced damage were assessed. Phytochemical analysis identified 12 phenolic compounds and 3 fatty acids. The levels of CAT and SOD were enhanced during pre-irradiation therapy; MDA lipid peroxidation was diminished; and the levels of COX2, PGE2, and LTB4 were markedly reduced. Histopathological examination of the irradiated group revealed apoptotic odontoblasts bordering an uneven predentin layer, areas of dentin resorption showing multinucleated giant cells, and distinctly detected osteo-dentin formation within the dental pulp. In specimens from the protected group, odontoblasts delineated a consistently thickened predentin layer, fibroblasts displayed normal morphology, and veins and lymphatics were extensively dilated, accompanied by peripheral thrombi and an absence of red blood cells in the lymphatic system. Further, the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly elevated in the irradiated group and markedly reduced in the protected group, as demonstrated by immunohistochemical analysis, indicating that papaya can mitigate substantial dental pulp tissue damage caused by irradiation when employed as a prophylactic agent.