Clastogenic, anti-clastogenic profile and safety assessment of Camel urine towards the development of new drug target

Camel Urine (CU) is composed of components that have antitumor properties and other therapeutic benefits. Regardless of short-term preliminary CU genotoxicity is reported, comprehensive genotoxic studies are limited. In this study, sensitive in vitro and in vivo genotoxic bioassays such as mitotic index (MI), chromosomal aberrations (CA), micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPE), and analysis of primary spermatocytes were employed. The adventitious roots of Allium cepa L. and mice (Mus musculus), as an experimental mammalian system, were employed to assess the MI and CA of CU induced by sodium nitrate and cyclophosphamide respectively. In contrast, other clastogenic assays were studied in mice (Mus musculus). Twenty-eight days of four repeated doses (2.5, 5, 25, and 50 mL/kg BW) of CU were tested and compared with three doses (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg BW) cyclophosphamide as a positive control and deionized water as the negative control. The results proved that cytological examination of CU was cytotoxic since a decrease in mitotic activity (16.8-1.1) was observed, since the significant reduction in cell proliferation in A. cepa L. and also in mice bone marrow cells. On the other hand, CU did not induce a clastogenic effect since no significant stickiness, fragment, multinucleoli were observed compared to the control group. Additionally, the data showed that CU decreased the CA when mice had received cyclophosphamide (25 mg BW) followed by CU doses. CU was found to be cytotoxic but no clastogenic effect. Furthermore, it possesses anticlastogenic properties. The observed results suggest that CU in whole or the metabolites present in CU could be a potent drug target. Further research is warranted to study the complete metabolites profiling and to study the molecular mechanisms.

Cytotoxic, antioxidative, genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of Horchata, beverage of South Ecuador

BACKGROUND

"Horchata" is an herbal mixture infusion consumed in Southern Ecuador; 66% of its plants are anti-inflammatory medicinal plant, and 51% are analgesics. Anti-inflammatory substances can prevent carcinogenesis mediated by cytotoxic effects and can prevent DNA damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and apoptotic/antigenotoxic effects of horchata as well as its mechanism.

METHODS

Nine different varieties of horchata were prepared in the traditional way and then freeze-dried. Phytochemical screening tested for the presence of secondary metabolites using standard procedures and antioxidant activities. The cytotoxic activity was evaluated on cerebral astrocytoma (D-384), prostate cancer (PC-3), breast cancer (MCF-7), colon cancer (RKO), lung cancer (A-549), immortalized Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1), and human peripheral blood lymphocytes via a MTS assay. The pro-apoptotic effects were evaluated with Anexin V/Propidium Iodide and western blot of Bax, Bcl-2, TP53, and TP73. Induction and reduction of ROS were assessed by fluorimetry. Genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects were evaluated with a comet assay and micronuclei on binucleated cells.

RESULTS

Five of nine horchatas had cytotoxic effects against D-384 while not affecting normal cells. These horchatas induce cell death by apoptosis modulated by p53/p73. In CHO-K1 cells, the horchatas decrease the damage induced by hydrogen peroxide and Mitomycin C measured in the comet and micronucleus assay respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The IC50 range of effective horchatas in D-384 was 41 to 122 μg·mL-1. This effect may be related to its use in traditional medicine (brain tonic). On the other hand, immortalized Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) and lymphocytes did not show a cytotoxic effect. The most potent horchata induced apoptosis via a p53/p73-mediated mechanism. The horchatas present antigenotoxic properties, which may be related to the antioxidant capacity. Future studies on horchata components are necessary to understand the interactions and beneficial properties.

Effect of Butea monosperma leaf extracts on cyclophosphamide induced clastogenicity and oxidative stress in mice

Background:

Butea monosperma is a medium sized deciduous tree of family Fabaceae. It is widely used by rural people in India to cure many disorders. It possesses antioxidant and anticancer activity which is a prerequisite for anticlastogenic activity.

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of Butea monosperma leaf extracts on cyclophosphamide induced clastogenicity and oxidative stress in mice.

Materials and Methods:

The present study assessed the role of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of B. monosperma (AQEBM and ETEBM) on cyclophosphamide (CP) induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in mice using micronucleus assay for anticlastogenic activity and biochemical estimation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) for antioxidant activity. The frequency of the micronucleated erythrocytes and mitotic index was studied in peripheral blood and bone marrow after 24 and 48 h of clastogenic exposure.

Results:

CP treatment led to a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the frequency of micronuclei and decrease in the mitotic index (MI) in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells. Moreover, CP also significantly increased the lipid peroxidation as evidenced by an increase in the MDA content and decreased the antioxidant enzyme (GSH) in mice liver. Pretreatment with AQEBM and ETEBM reduced the frequency of micronuclei and increased the MI in the bone marrow and peripheral blood cells and also restored the MDA and GSH levels in mice liver.

Conclusion:

The AQEBM and ETEBM do contain compounds capable of inhibiting the CP induced oxidative stress and subsequent DNA damage in both the peripheral blood and bone marrow cells in mice.