An evaluation, using the comet assay and the micronucleus test, of the antigenotoxic effects of chlorophyll b in mice

Toxicity of benzethonium chloride and polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride mixtures on Daphnia carinata: synergistic and antagonistic effects at specific ratios

Throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the sanitizing products benzethonium chloride (BEC) and polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMG-H) were widely used; however, few studies have investigated their combined toxicity to organisms. In the present study, acute toxicity and genotoxicity of BEC, PHMG-H, and the combination of the two were investigated as endpoints using Daphnia carinata as the model organism. For individual reagents, PHMG-H was found to be more toxic than BEC in terms of both mortality and genotoxicity. DNA damage and survival rate were used as toxicity endpoints. The interaction was evaluated with the concentration addition (CA) model via toxic unit (TU) approach and additive index (AI) method in mixtures at different ratios in TU. Only the binary mixture BEC + PHMG-H at the ratio 1:9 in TU was regarded as synergistic, while all others indicated increased antagonistic effects as the proportion of BEC increased over the PHMG-H concentration. The findings here benefit understanding surrounding precisely how BEC and PHMG-H interact at different mixing ratios, and can assist with the evaluation of risk assessments for binary mixtures in aquatic ecosystems.

Enhancing Health Benefits through Chlorophylls and Chlorophyll-Rich Agro-Food: A Comprehensive Review

Chlorophylls play a crucial role in photosynthesis and are abundantly found in green fruits and vegetables that form an integral part of our diet. Although limited, existing studies suggest that these photosynthetic pigments and their derivatives possess therapeutic properties. These bioactive molecules exhibit a wide range of beneficial effects, including antioxidant, antimutagenic, antigenotoxic, anti-cancer, and anti-obesogenic activities. However, it is unfortunate that leafy materials and fruit peels often go to waste in the food supply chain, contributing to the prevailing issue of food waste in modern societies. Nevertheless, these overlooked materials contain valuable bioactive compounds, including chlorophylls, which offer significant health benefits. Consequently, exploring the potential of these discarded resources, such as utilizing them as functional food ingredients, aligns with the principles of a circular economy and presents exciting opportunities for exploitation.

Pistacia lentiscus L. fruits showed promising antimutagenic and antigenotoxic activity using both in-vitro and in-vivo test systems

Pistacia lentiscus L. is one of the most popular medicinal plants attributed to its beneficial properties on human health. However, few toxicogenetic studies have been carried out. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the potential genotoxic/antigenotoxic and mutagenic/antimutagenic properties of oil, ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts of P. lentiscus L. fruits using in vitro the Ames and Umu assays, as well as in vivo micronucleus (MN) test. Extracts did not exert any significant mutagenic/genotoxic effects but provided protection against standard mutagenic and genotoxic agents including 2 nitrofluorene (2-NF) at 2.5 and 5 µg/ml; sodium azide at 5 and 10 µg/ml; 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) at 25 and 50 μg/ml; cyclophosphamide (CP) at 50 and 100 μg/ml; 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) at 0.05 µg/ml and 2-amino-anthracene (AA) at 0.2 µg/ml. Further, cytotoxicity and selectivity were examined on human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2), and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines as well as a human normal-like fibroblast cell line (TelCOFS02MA) using MTT assay. Among all extracts, PF1 (ethanolic) showed the most significant selectivity index (SI) (HepG2:11.98; MCF7:4.83), which led to further investigations using an animal model. Oral administration of PF1 (125-1000 mg/kg b.w.) significantly decreased the number of micronucleated cells in CP -initiated (50 mg/kg b.w.) mice, while the number of micronucleated reticulocytes (MNRET), micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) or mitotic index (MI) were not markedly affected. Further, PF1 significantly enhanced catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the livers and kidneys of these animals. The obtained results indicated the beneficial properties of P. lentiscus L. fruits for use in therapy against harmful effects of genotoxic and mutagenic agents. However, while promising it should be noted that the obtained results are preliminary and need to be confirmed prior to therapeutic use.

Phospholipids modifications, genotoxic and anticholinesterase effects of pepper fruit (Dennettia tripetala G. Baker) extract in Swiss mice

The toxicity of D. tripetala fruit extract to mice was investigated using data obtained from lipidomic analyses, comet and Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) assays. Mice (n = 8) were exposed for 30 days via oral gavage to vehicle (5% Tween 80) (negative control), D. tripetala extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and 40 mg/kg methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) (positive control). The profile of compounds in the fruit extract was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Out of the total of 32 compounds identified, considerable amount of established insecticidal compounds such as 2-phenylnitroethane, cis-vaccenic acid, linalool and linoleic acid were detected. Fruit extract did not induce DNA damage relative to negative control. Percentage gain in body weights differed significantly across the four weeks. Significantly highest and lowest brain AChE activity was observed in animals exposed to 200 and 400 mg/kg D. tripetala, respectively. Fruit extract modulated the brain phospholipid profile due to significant fold changes of 48 lipid species out of the total of 280 lipid species. High number of differentially expressed phosphatidylcholine (PC) species and significant levels of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) at 400 mg/kg suggests that activation of inflammation and methylation pathways are the most plausible mechanisms of D. tripetala toxicity to mouse brain tissue.

Septilin: A versatile anticlastogenic, antigenotoxic, antioxidant and histoprotective herbo-mineral formulation on cisplatin-induced toxicity in mice

Septilin (Spt), a herbo-mineral formulation contains the extracts of Maharasanadi qoath, Tinospora cordifolia, Rubia cordifolia, Emblica officinalis, Moringa pterigosperma, Glycyrrhiza glabra and powders of Balsamodendron mukul and Shankha bhasma. In the present study, the anticlastogenic, antigenotoxic, antioxidant and histoprotective effects of Spt against cisplatin (Csp) induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice were investigated. The micronucleus (MN) test was used to assess the anticlastogenic potential of Spt (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg bw; p.o., 5 days) on somatic cells of mice. The sperm shape abnormality assay detects germinal nuclear damage, which induces spermatogenic dysfunction. Comet assay was employed to study the antigenotoxic potential of Spt on Csp (10 mg/kg bw; i.p.) induced DNA strand breaks in bone marrow cells of mice. The antioxidant enzyme activity of liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a biological antioxidant, reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured to determine its hepatoprotective property. The ability of Spt to protect against the histopathologic alterations accompanying Csp-induced liver and testicular injury was studied. The frequencies of MN induced by Csp in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells of mice were significantly decreased by the pre-treatment of Spt. Csp treatment increased the percentage of DNA strand breaks and depleted levels of SOD and GSH content along with histopathological changes. Supplementation of Spt attenuated the toxicity of Csp in liver and testes tissues possible viaimprovement of enzymatic and histological parameters toward normal. This study suggests that the protection offered by Spt against Csp-induced toxicity is partly related to the maintenance of the antioxidant system. Overall, this study shows the protective role of Spt against Csp-induced toxicity in somatic and male germinal cells of mice.

Induced Cell Death as a Possible Pathway of Antimutagenic Action

The existing concepts of antimutagenesis are briefly reviewed. Published reports on antimutagenic and proapoptotic properties of some polyphenols and compounds of other chemical groups obtained in representative in vitro and in vivo experiments on eukaryotic test systems are discussed. The relationships between the antimutagenic and proapoptotic properties of the analyzed compounds (naringin, apigenin, resveratrol, curcumin, N-acetylcysteine, etc.) are considered in favor of the hypothesis on induced cell death as an antimutagenic tool.

Carotenoids and Chlorophylls as Antioxidants

Chlorophylls and carotenoids are natural pigments that are present in our daily diet, especially with the increasing tendency towards more natural and healthy behaviors among consumers. As disturbed antioxidant homeostasis capacities seem to be implicated in the progress of different pathologies, the antioxidant properties of both groups of lipophilic compounds have been studied. The objective of this review was to analyze the state-of-the-art advances in this field. We conducted a systematic bibliographic search (Web of Science™ and Scopus®), followed by a comprehensive and critical description of the results, with special emphasis on highly cited and more recently published research. In addition to an evaluative description of the methodologies, this review discussed different approaches used to obtain a physiological perspective, from in vitro studies to in vivo assays using oxidative biomarkers. From a chemical viewpoint, many studies have demonstrated how a pigment's structure influences its antioxidant response and the underlying mechanisms. The major outcome is that this knowledge is essential for interpreting new data in a metabolic networks context in the search for more direct applications to health. A promising era is coming where the term "antioxidant" is understood in terms of its broadest significance.

Heat treatment and protective potentials of luteolin-7-O-glucoside against cisplatin genotoxic and cytotoxic effects

Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that has pronounced adverse effects. Using flavonoids is currently eliciting considerable interest. During extraction and conditioning, they usually undergo several physical treatments such as heat treatment, although it is not known whether thermal treatment might influence the pharmacological effects of flavonoids such as luteolin-7-O-glucoside (L7G). This study was undertaken to explore the protective role of native and heated L7G against DNA damage and oxidative stress induced by cisplatin. Balb/c mice were administered L7G before a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (10 mg/kg). Animals were sacrificed 24 h after treatment with drugs. The geno-protective role of native and heated L7G was evaluated by comet assay. In addition to monitoring the activities of antioxidant enzymes, levels of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione were assessed in the liver, kidney, brain, and spleen tissues. The results of the present study demonstrate that both heated and native L7G, at a dose of 40 mg/kg b.w, were able to reduce the genotoxicity of cisplatin. They attenuate the oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, catalase, GPx, SOD, and GSH) and tissue damage (creatinine, IFNγ). Heat treatment did not alter the antigenotoxic effect observed for native L7G and showed similar effects to those of native L7G for all of the evaluated parameters. Our study reveals that L7G attenuates the side effects of anticancer drug and heat treatment did not alter his antigenotoxic and antioxidant the potential.

Sasa veitchii extract protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice

BACKGROUND

The current study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Sasa veitchii extract (SE) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver fibrosis in mice.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with CCl₄ dissolved in olive oil (1 g/kg) twice per week for 8 weeks. SE (0.1 mL) was administered orally once per day throughout the study, and body weight was measured weekly. Seventy-two hours after the final CCl₄ injection, mice were euthanized and plasma samples were collected. The liver and kidneys were collected and weighed.

RESULTS

CCl₄ administration increased liver weight, decreased body weight, elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase and increased liver oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and glutathione). These increases were attenuated by SE treatment. Overexpression of tumor necrosis factor-α was also reversed following SE treatment. Furthermore, CCl₄-induced increases in α-smooth muscle actin, a marker for hepatic fibrosis, were attenuated in mice treated with SE. Moreover, SE inhibited CCl₄-induced nuclear translocation of hepatic nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that SE prevented CCl₄-induced hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Genotoxicity of textile dye C.I. Disperse Blue 291 in mouse bone marrow

Color Index (C.I.) Disperse Blue 291 (DB291) is an azo dye used by the textile industry. After yarn dyeing, wastewater containing the dye, released into the aquatic environment, may pollute drinking water sources. We investigated the mutagenicity and genotoxicity of DB291 in male Swiss mice, following oral administration. Micronucleated cells, primary DNA damage (comet assay) in blood, liver, and kidney cells, and BAX, BCL2, SMAD4 and TNFA gene expression in leukocytes were evaluated. An increased frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) was observed in animals treated with 50 mg/kg bw; no other genetic alteration was detected. Neither primary DNA damage nor changes in gene expression were observed.

Genoprotective effects of gallic acid against cisplatin induced genotoxicity in bone marrow cells of mice

Chemotherapeutic drugs are used for the treatment of cancer. However, the use of these drugs is limited due to their side effects on normal cells. One of the measures to detect chemoprotection of plant extracts is to evaluate their anticlastogenic effects. In this study, we report the anticlastogenic effect of gallic acid (GA) against cisplatin (Csp), a chemotherapeutic drug, in Swiss albino mice. Three different doses of GA (100, 200 and 400 mg per kg bw) were administered orally to the experimental animals in 0.2 mL quantity for 5 days at 24 hour intervals. Cisplatin, the positive control agent (10 mg per kg bw), was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) in 0.1 mL quantity. Overall, the results showed that the pretreatment of GA caused a remarkable decrease in Csp induced micronucleus frequency and DNA damage in bone marrow cells of mice. The results suggest that GA showed potent antigenotoxic effects against Csp induced damage in mice bone marrow cells.

Sasa veitchii extracts suppress acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of a Sasa veitchii leaf extract (SE) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity.

Methods

Seven-week-old male ddY mice were orally administered SE or saline (0.2 mL) once a day for a week. Twenty-four hours after the last pretreatment, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 550 mg/kg APAP or saline under fasting conditions. The mice from each group were euthanized and bled for plasma analysis 2, 6, 24, and 72 h after the injection.

Results

We found that pretreatment with SE significantly decreased hepatic injury markers (i.e., alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase), oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and glutathione level), inflammatory cytokines, histological damage, c-jun N-terminal kinase activation, and receptor-interacting protein-1 activation. Further, SE pretreatment decreased Cyp2e1 expression and increased total antioxidant capacity in the liver.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that prophylactic SE treatment protects mice from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity through modulation of Cyp2e1 expression and antioxidant capacity.

Indigenous leafy vegetables of Eastern Africa - A source of extraordinary secondary plant metabolites

Indigenous African leafy vegetables vary enormously in their secondary plant metabolites whereat genus and the species have a great impact. In African nightshade (Solanum scabrum), spiderplant (Cleome gynandra), amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), Ethiopian kale (Brassica carinata) and common kale (Brassica oleracea) the specific secondary metabolite profile was elucidated and gained detailed data about carotenoids, chlorophylls, glucosinolates and phenolic compounds all having an appropriate contribution to health beneficial properties of indigenous African leafy vegetables. Exemplarily, various quercetin glycosides such as quercetin-3-rutinoside occur in high concentrations in African nightshade, spiderplant, and amaranth between ~1400-3300μg/g DW. Additionally the extraordinary hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives such as glucaric isomers and isocitric acid isomers are found especially in amaranth (up to ~1250μg/g DW) and spiderplant (up to 120μg/g DW). Carotenoids concentrations are high in amaranth (up to101.7μg/g DW) and spiderplants (up to 64.7μg/g DW) showing high concentrations of β-carotene, the pro-vitamin A. In contrast to the ubiquitous occurring phenolics and carotenoids, glucosinolates are only present in the Brassicales species Ethiopian kale, common kale and spiderplant characterized by diverse glucosinolate profiles. Generally, the consumption of a variety of these indigenous African leafy vegetables can be recommended to contribute to different benefits such as antioxidant activity, increase pro-vitamin A and anticancerogenic compounds in a healthy diet.

Sasa veitchii extract suppresses carbon tetrachloride-induced hepato- and nephrotoxicity in mice

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of a Sasa veitchii leaf extract (SE) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepato- and nephrotoxicity.

METHODS

Seven-week-old male ddy mice were orally administered SE or saline for seven days. Twenty-four hours after the last SE or saline administration, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 3 g/kg CCl₄ or olive oil. The mice from each group were euthanized and bled for plasma analysis 24 h after the CCl₄/olive oil injection.

RESULTS

We found that pretreatment with SE completely abolished the CCl₄-induced mortality in the mice after 24 h. The mice pretreated with SE exhibited significantly decreased levels of functional markers, and reduced histological damage in both the liver and the kidney. Furthermore, we found that the SE pretreatment decreased lipid peroxidation and calcium levels in the liver. Although SE could not induce the free radical-scavenging metallothioneins, the plasma biological antioxidant power was significantly increased in the mice pretreated with SE.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that prophylactic treatment with SE protects mice from CCl₄-induced lethal toxicity by decreasing oxidative stress in the liver and kidney, presumably by increasing biological antioxidant power.

Effects of lutein and chlorophyll b on GSH depletion and DNA damage induced by cisplatin in vivo

Recent studies have proposed the use of low concentrations of phytochemicals and combinations of phytochemicals in chemoprevention to reduce cytotoxicity and simulate normal ingestion through diet. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether the DNA damage, chromosome instability, and oxidative stress induced by cisplatin (cDDP) are modulated by a combination of the natural pigments lutein (LT) and chlorophyll b (CLb). The protective effects observed for synergism between phytochemicals have not been completely investigated. The comet assay and micronucleus test were performed and the catalase activities and glutathione (GSH) concentrations were measured in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, liver, and kidney cells of mice. The comet assay and micronucleus test results revealed that the pigments LT and CLb were not genotoxic or mutagenic and that the pigments presented antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects in the different cell types evaluated. This protective effect is likely related to antioxidant properties in peripheral blood cells through the prevention of cDDP-induced GSH depletion. Altogether our results show that the combination of LT and CLb, which are both usually present in the same foods, such as leafy green vegetables, can be used safely.

Antigenotoxic properties of chlorophyll b against cisplatin-induced DNA damage and its relationship with distribution of platinum and magnesium in vivo

The chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin (cDDP) is widely used to treat a variety of solid and hematological tumors. However, cDDP exerts severe side effects, such as nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and bone-marrow suppression. The use of some dietary compounds to protect organs that are not targets in association with chemotherapy has been encouraged. This study evaluated the protective effects of chlorophyll b (CLb) on DNA damage induced by cDDP by use of single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assays. Further, this investigation also determined platinum (Pt) and magnesium (Mg) bioaccumulation in mice tissues after treatment with CLb alone and/or in association of cDDP (simultaneous treatment) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). All parameters were studied in peripheral blood cells (PBC), kidneys, and liver of mice after administration of CLb (0.2 or 0.5 mg/kg of body weight [b.w.]), cDDP (6 mg/kg b.w.), and the combination CLb 0.2 plus cDDP or CLb 0.5 plus cDDP. Pt accumulation in liver and kidneys was higher than that found in PBC, while DNA damage was higher in kidneys and liver than in PBC. Further, treatment with CLb alone did not induce DNA damage. Evidence indicates that genotoxic effects produced by cDDP may not be related to Pt accumulation and distribution. In combined treatments, CLb decreased DNA damage in tissues, but the PT contents did not change and these treatments also showed that CLb may be an important source of Mg. Thus, our results indicate that consumption of CLb-rich foods may diminish the adverse health effects induced by cDDP exposure.

Genotoxicity testing of low molecular weight fucoidan from brown seaweeds

Fucoidan extracts from brown seaweed have anticoagulant, antithrombotic, and antiviral activities. Low molecular weight fucoidan (LMF) obtained by acid hydrolysis of high molecular weight fucoidan showed more favorable bioactivity. Despite extensive work on LMF bioactivities, detailed studies on the genotoxicity of LMF have not been conducted. As part of a safety evaluation, the potential genotoxicity of LMF was evaluated using a standard battery of tests (bacterial reverse mutation assay, chromosomal aberrations assay, and mouse micronucleus assay). The LMF was determined not to be genotoxic under the conditions of the reverse mutation assay, chromosomal aberrations assay, or mouse micronucleus assay. In a reverse mutation assay using four Salmonella typhimurium strains and Escherichia coli, LMF did not increase the number of revertant colonies in any tester strain regardless of metabolic activation by S9 mix, and did not cause chromosomal aberration in short tests with the S9 mix or in the continuous (24 h) test. A bone marrow micronucleus test in ICR mice dosed by oral gavage at doses up to 2000 mg/kg body weight/day showed no significant or dose-dependent increases in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. Use of LMF is presently expected to be safe, as anticipated intake is small compared to doses administered in the genotoxicity assays and may prove to be a useful bioactive agent after further toxicity research.