Antimutagenic potential of extracts isolated from Terminalia arjuna

Terminalia arjuna is an important medicinal plants widely used in the preparation of Ayurvedic formulations used against several ailments. The present investigation was aimed at the fractionation of crude extracts from the bark of T. arjuna in order to isolate and purify the antimutagenic factors present. The antimutagenicity assay was performed to check the modulatory effect of these fractions against NPD, sodium azide, and 2AF, using the Ames Salmonella his+ reversion assay. Most of the phenolic fractions exhibited mutagen specificity against direct-acting mutagens, being effective in suppressing the frameshift mutagen NPD but failing to inhibit sodium azide (base pair substitution)-induced his+ revertants. ET-1 fraction triterpenoid diglycoside showed a marked effect against sodium azide but was ineffective against NPD. In the case of the indirect-acting mutagen 2AF, all the fractions were found to be quite potent in modulating its mutagenicity in both TA98 and TA100 tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium. The results indicate that the bark of T. arjuna harbors constituents with promising antimutagenic/anticarcinogenic potential that should be investigated further.

Growth suppression of human transformed cells by treatment with bark extracts from a medicinal plant, Terminalia arjuna

We have investigated the effects of acetone and methanol extracts of a medicinal plant, Terminalia arjuna, on the growth of human normal fibroblasts (WI-38), osteosarcoma (U2OS), and glioblastoma (U251) cells in vitro. We found that both extracts at 30 microg and 60 microg/ml concentrations inhibit the growth of transformed cells; the growth of normal cells was least affected. Although the transformed cells appeared to have fragmented nucleus by Hoechst staining, no deoxy-ribonucleic acid laddering effect was observed. In response to the extract treatment, the tumor suppressor protein, p53, was induced in U2OS but not in U251 and WI-38 cells. A cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21WAF1, was induced in transformed cells only. The study suggests that the bark extract of medicinal plant, T. arjuna, has components that can induce growth arrest of transformed cells by p53-dependent and -independent pathways.

Modulatory effects of a tannin fraction isolated from Terminalia arjuna on the genotoxicity of mutagens in Salmonella typhimurium

A fraction isolated from Terminalia arjuna was studied for its antimutagenic effect against 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) in TA98, sodium azide in TA100 and 2-aminofluorene (2AF, S9-dependent), a promutagen, in both TA98 and TA 100 tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium using the Ames assay. The fraction inhibited the mutagenicity of 2AF very significantly in both strains while the revertant colonies induced by NPD and sodium azide were reduced moderately. 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR and UV-spectroscopic data of the fraction revealed it to be tannin in nature.

Growth suppression of human transformed cells by treatment with bark extracts from a medicinal plant, Terminalia arjuna

We have investigated the effects of acetone and methanol extracts of a medicinal plant, Terminalia arjuna, on the growth of human normal fibroblasts (WI-38), osteosarcoma (U2OS), and glioblastoma (U251) cells in vitro. We found that both extracts at 30 microg and 60 microg/ml concentrations inhibit the growth of transformed cells; the growth of normal cells was least affected. Although the transformed cells appeared to have fragmented nucleus by Hoechst staining, no deoxy-ribonucleic acid laddering effect was observed. In response to the extract treatment, the tumor suppressor protein, p53, was induced in U2OS but not in U251 and WI-38 cells. A cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p21WAF1, was induced in transformed cells only. The study suggests that the bark extract of medicinal plant, T. arjuna, has components that can induce growth arrest of transformed cells by p53-dependent and -independent pathways.

Genotoxicity of wastewater samples from sewage and industrial effluent detected by the Allium root anaphase aberration and micronucleus assays

The genotoxicity of wastewater samples from sewage, and industrial effluent from the Amritsar, India, area were investigated using the Allium micronucleus and anaphase aberration assays. Raw sewage samples and acetone extracts of the dehydrated sewage were use for treatment of the Allium roots. Industrial effluents were collected and stored in the form of sludge (semi-dried matter). The acetone extracts of the sludge samples were also used for treatment of the Allium roots. From the Allium root micronuclei tests on the sewage extracts, no significant increase in the number of micronuclei was found in comparison with negative controls. All the other extracts from industrial effluent showed positive responses both in the micronucleus and anaphase aberration assays.

Antigenotoxic properties of Terminalia arjuna bark extracts

Compounds possessing antimutagenic properties (polyphenols, tannins, vitamins, etc.) have been identified in fruits, vegetables, spices, and medicinal plants. Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae), a tropical woody tree occurring throughout India and known locally as Kumbuk, is a medicinal plant rich in tannins and triterpenes that is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine as a cardiac tonic. The aim of the present collaborative work was to test six solvent extracts from the bark of Terminalia arjuna for antigenotoxic activity using in vitro short-term tests. Terminalia arjuna extracts were obtained by sequential extraction using acetone, methanol, methanol + HCl, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethyl ether. The antigenotoxic properties of these extracts were investigated by assessing the inhibition of genotoxicity of the directacting mutagen 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO) using the "comet" assay and the micronucleus (MN) test. Human peripheral blood leukocytes were incubated with different concentrations of the six extracts (from 5 to 100 microg/ mL) and with 4NQO (1 and 2 microg/mL, for the "comet" assay and MN test, respectively). Each extract/4NQO combination was tested twice; in each experiment, positive control (4NQO alone) and negative control (1% DMSO) were set. "Comet" assay results showed that acetone and methanol extracts were highly effective in reducing the DNA damage caused by 4NQO, whereas the acidic methanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethyl ether extracts showed less marked or no antigenotoxic activity. In the MN test, a decrease in 4NQO genotoxicity was observed by testing this mutagen in the presence of acetone, methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts, even though the extent of inhibition was not always statistically significant.

Antimutagenicity of hydrolyzable tannins from Terminalia chebula in Salmonella typhimurium

A tannin fraction (TC-E) from the dried fruit pulp of Terminalia chebula was obtained by successfully extracting with 95% ethyl alcohol and ethyl acetate. TC-E was subjected to silica gel chromatography which yielded four fractions, viz., TC-EI, TC-EII, TC-EIII and TC-EIV. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and 13C-NMR revealed that TC-EI was gallic acid (GA) derivative while the other fractions were tannin in nature. TC-E and its fractions were evaluated for their antimutagenic potential against two direct-acting mutagens, 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) and 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQNO), and S9-dependent mutagen, 2-aminofluorene (2AF) in TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium. The study revealed that the extract (TC-E) and its fractions were highly significant against S9-dependent mutagen, 2AF. The effect was found to be more or less corresponding with the nature of the fractions, as the monomeric TC-EI (a GA derivative) was least effective as compared to other fractions which were oligomeric, and the order of their effectiveness as per their IbD50 value being TC-EIV (8.9 micrograms)>TC-EIII (17.8 micrograms)>TC-EII (45 micrograms)>TC-EI (320 micrograms) in TA98; TC-EIV being 40 times more effective than TC-EI in inhibiting his+ revertants. A similar effect was noticed in TA100 too, where TC-EI was the least effective and TC-EII had the maximum effect. A similar result was noticed when the antimutagenicity of GA (a monomeric) was compared with tannic acid (TA, an oligomeric). However, chebula tannins were found to be partly effective against NPD but not at all effective against 4NQNO.

Antimutagenic potential of ellagic acid isolated from Terminalia arjuna

Antimutagenic potential of a fraction isolated from Terminalia arjuna has been evaluated in TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium against direct and indirect-acting mutagens. The fraction was quite effective against S9-dependent 2AF while it showed moderate effect against NPD. The fraction was analyzed to be ellagic acid.

Antimutagenic effects of polyphenols isolated from Terminalia bellerica myroblan in Salmonella typhimurium

Antimutagenic effect of 2 polyphenolic fractions isolated from T. bellerica in TA98 and TA100 strains of S. typhimurium against 2AF, NPD and 4NQNO has been characterized. Both the fractions were significantly effective against S9-dependent 2AF; less effective against NPD and almost not effective against 4NQNO in TA100 strain. Using 13C-NMR spectral analysis, the TB-3 fraction, which was significantly more effective against 2AF compared to TB-4, was found to be a mixture of 3 tannins while TB-4 was non-tannin fraction. Interaction of polyphenols with S9 proteins may be the probable cause of inhibitory effect of these polyphenols, though the possibility of other mechanisms cannot be ruled out.

Vicia faba chromosomal aberration assay

A collaborative study involving laboratories in six countries was initiated under the sponsorship of the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) to determine the sensitivity, efficiency and reliability of the Vicia faba root tip meristem chromosomal aberration assay using a standardized protocol. The six laboratories that participated in this study were located in the Slovak Republic, India, Japan, Poland, Sweden and the USA. All laboratories adhered to a standardized protocol for the Vicia faba chromosomal aberration assay. Four coded chemicals, azidoglycerol (AG), N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), sodium azide (NaN3) and maleic hydrazide (MH) were tested with the Vicia faba chromosomal aberration assay. Of the four chemicals, three (MH, AG and MNU) were found to be clastogenic and gave a concentration related response. However, the results of NaN3 were equivocal which might be explained by the stability of NaN3. The conclusions from this study suggest that the Vicia faba chromosomal aberration bioassay is an efficient and reliable short-term bioassay for the rapid screening of chemicals for clastogenicity.

Studies on antimutagenic effects of guava (Psidium guajava) in Salmonella typhimurium

The water and chloroform extracts of guava were tested for their antimutagenicity. The water extract was effective in inactivating the mutagenicity of direct-acting mutagens, e.g., 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine, sodium azide, and the S9-dependent mutagen, 2-aminofluorene, in the tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium. The chloroform extract was inactive. Autoclaving of the water extract for 15 min did not reduced its activity appreciably. The enhanced inhibitory activity of the extracts on pre-incubation suggests the possibility of desmutagens in the extracts. Besides ascorbic acid and citric acid, the major constituents of the extracts, the role of other antimutagenic factors in the extracts cannot be ruled out.

Screening of azo dyes for mutagenicity with Ames/Salmonella assay

Azo dyes, the largest portion of manufactured dyestuffs, are primarily used as colouring substances in food, textiles, and the plastic industry. It has been estimated that 128 tonnes per annum of dyes are released into the environment worldwide [Anliker, 1977]. Certain azo compounds are known to be mutagenic in bacterial tests [Yahagi et al., 1975; Venitt and Bushell, 1976; Brown et al., 1978]. Watersoluble dyes are biotransformed by intestinal micro-organisms in the gastro intestinal tract, and the toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity of these dyes in the gut or liver may be attributed to their metabolites. Since it is desirable to have a genotoxic evaluation of a chemical being released into the environment in order to check their indiscriminate use, a project has been initiated to determine the mutagenicity of the azo dyes being used commercially. The present report deals with the results of 13 dyes tested in Salmonella typhimurium with and without metabolic activation.

Antimutagenic activity of Terminalia chebula (myroblan) in Salmonella typhimurium

Antimutagenicity of water and chloroform extracts of dried myroblan Terminalia chebula was determined against two direct acting mutagens, sodium azide and 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) in strains TA100 and TA1535, and TA97a and TA98 of Salmonella typhimurium respectively and S9-dependent mutagen 2-aminofluorene (2-AF) in TA97a, TA98 and TA100 strains. Water extract reduced NPD as well as 2-AF induced his+ revertants significantly but did not have any perceptible effect against sodium azide included his+ revertants in TA100 and TA1535 strains of S. typhimurium. The pre-incubation studies, where the extract was incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 min with the said mutagen prior to plating, enhanced the inhibitory effect. Autoclaving the water extract reduced the inhibitory effect but the reduction in the effect was not significant. No inhibitory effect was observed in any of the strains and against any of the test mutagens with chloroform extract.

Mutagenicity of systemic organophosphate pesticides metasystox and rogor

Mutagenicity of metasystox and rogor could not be detected on the basis of tests employing Ames Salmonella/microsome assay even in the presence of wheat seedling or rat liver microsomal activation systems.

Effect of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Indian gooseberry) fruit extract on sodium azide and 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium

Water, acetone and chloroform extracts of E. officinalis fruit reduced sodium azide and NPD induced his+ revertants significantly in TA100 and TA97 a strains respectively of S. typhimurium. The chloroform extract was less active as compared to water and acetone extracts. Autoclaving of water extract for 15 min did not reduce its activity. The enhanced inhibitory activity of the extracts on pre-incubation suggests the possibility of desmutagens in the extracts. Besides ascorbic acid, a constituent of the extract, the role of other antimutagenic factors in the extract cannot be ruled out.

Antimutagenicity of some citrus fruits in Salmonella typhimurium

The antimutagenic effect of 10 citrus fruit juices was observed against the mutagenicity of N-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) in TA97a and sodium azide in TA100 tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium using the Ames test. It was noticed that the juices of all these fruits reduced significantly the NPD and sodium azide induced revertant colonies. The inhibitory activity was enhanced if the mutagen and juice were co-incubated for about 30 min at 37 degrees C prior to performing the mutagenicity assay. Dilution with distilled water led to the reduction in the inhibitory activity. The antimutagenic activity of synthetic ascorbic acid or citric acid or combined ascorbic acid and citric acid was also seen. But the results with fruit juices tempted us to believe that in addition to ascorbic acid and citric acid, the presence of other factor(s) possessing antimutagenic properties cannot be ruled out.

Carbaryl-A selective genotoxicant

Mutagenic effects of carbaryl, a contact insecticide with slight systemic properties, have been investigated employing histidine reversion assay in Salmonella typhimurium strains and in vivo chromosomal aberrations in root meristems of Allium cepa. A detailed investigation revealed that carbaryl did not enhance significantly the frequency of histidine revertants in any of the strains of Salmonella i.e. frameshift mutagen tester (TA98), base pair substitution tester strain (TA1535) and ochre mutant strain (TA102). The supplementation with S9 mix did not have any appreciable effect. S14 prepared from wheat seedlings also did not enhance the reversion frequency significantly. However, carbaryl induced both clastogenic and physiological types of chromosomal aberration. The spectrum of chromosomal aberrations included c-mitosis, stickiness, vagrant chromosomes, polyploidy multi-polarity, delayed anaphases, end to end joining of chromosomes, chromosome breaks, ring chromosomes and anaphase bridges. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations was reduced by transferring the carbaryl treated bulbs to distilled water for 24 and 48 h. Similarly, recovery in the mitotic index was noticed by such transfer. The differences between the two assays may be attributed to differences in the metabolism of the test organisms.

Genotoxic effects of some systemic pesticides: in vivo chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells in rats

The genotoxic effects of five pesticides (benomyl, 2,4-D, dimecron, monocrotophos, and vitavax) were evaluated in the rat bone marrow cytogenetic assay. The spectrum of aberrations observed included chromatid breaks, chromatid fragments, ring chromosomes, dicentric chromosomes, and chromosome fragments. It was observed that 2,4-D, dimecron, and vitavax were clastogenic, but the results obtained with benomyl and monocrotophos were equivocal.

Genotoxic effects of some organophosphorus pesticides. II. In vivo chromosomal aberration bioassay in bone marrow cells in rat

The genotoxic effects of 4 organophosphorus pesticides, i.e., ekatin, fenitrothion, methylparathion and phorate, were assessed employing in vivo chromosomal aberration bioassay in bone marrow cells in rat. Methylparathion and phorate were found to be mutagenic while ekatin was weakly mutagenic. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations induced by fenitrothion did not differ significantly from that observed in negative control.

Genotoxic effects of some organophosphorous pesticides. I. Induction of micronuclei in bone marrow cells in rat

The genotoxic effects of 4 organophosphorous pesticides, i.e. ekatin, fenitrothion, methylparathion and phorate, were examined employing the micronucleus test in bone marrow cells of the rat. Methylparathion and phorate were found to be mutagenic, while ekatin was weakly mutagenic. The frequency of micronuclei induction by fenitrothion did not differ significantly from that noticed in negative control.

Effects of methionine sulphoximine on protein transients during heterocyst differentiation in Anabaena and Cylindrospermum spp

Heterocystous blue-green algae normally do not develop heterocysts if grown in the medium enriched with ammonium compounds. If such cultures are resuspended in a medium lacking combined nitrogen, the heterocysts differentiate within 24 h. L-methionine-DL-sulphoximine (MSO) has been reported to induce heterocysts even in the presence of ammonium chloride. The changes in gel electrophoresis protein profiles of cultures developing heterocysts, in the ammonium chloride enriched medium supplemented with MSO suggest that heterocyst differentiation in the presence of ammonium chloride and MSO may be due to derepression of heterocyst formation genes by MSO.

Effect of rifampicin on the heterocyst pattern in Anabaena ARM 314

Alteration in the pattern of heterocysts is observed when suspending ammonia-grown filaments of Anabaena ARM 314 in a medium devoid of combined nitrogen source but supplemented with rifampicin. Paired as well as strings of 3--9 heterocysts were noticed. The electrophoretic protein pattern of non-heterocystous, heterocystous and multiple heterocystous filaments revealed that multiple heterocystous filaments are characterized by the presence of two additional protein transients. It is speculated that rifampicin may lead to an alteration in the enzyme system involved in the synthesis of inhibitory substances or, alternatively, to the formation or activation of enzyme systems involved in the sequestering of inhibitory substances.

Protein-transients during heterocyst differentiation in Anabaena circularis and Cylindrospermum sp

The programme of protein synthesis accompanying cellular differentiation to the heterocyst following transfer of the blue-green algae Anabaena circularis and Cylindrospermum sp. (CBSC 1755) from ammonia-enriched medium to nitorgen-free medium was determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of whole proteins during successive intervals of differentiation. Besides this, total proteins and soluble amino acids were determined quantitatively. At least 4 sets of proteins can be distinguished on the basis of the time at which they are synthesized. Besides this, differentiation is distinguishable on the basis of the time at which their synthesis is turned off. The postmaturation stages revealed the synthesis of two sets in A. circularis andone in Cylindrospermum so. (CBSC 1755).

The genus Argemone : II. Cytogenetic relationships of A. ochroleuca ssp. ochroleuca (2n = 56) and some diploid (2n = 28) Argemone species

Crosses between three diploid (A. mexicana; A. subfusiformis; A. albiflora) and one tetraploid (A. ochroleuca) Argemone species were made. The F1's were cytogenetically analysed. All the triploid hybrids were sterile and did not set any seed. In the species there was predominantly bivalent pairing (14II; 28II) and high pollen and seed fertility. The F1's displayed different configurations, e.g. I, II and III, and pollen fertility was low; the capsules were shrunken and did not contain any seed.In the two combinations mexicana X ochroleuca and subfusiformis X ochroleuca, pairing was identical and both auto- and allosyndesis were observed. The number of univalents, bivalents and trivalents varied in the three combinations but the number of associations did not differ significantly. In the albiflora X ochroleuca combination as many as 13 trivalents were observed.In general a negative correlation was observed between univalents and chiasmata per cell. However, chiasma frequency and paired associations displayed a positive correlation.It is deduced that sufficient similarities existed between one of the ochroleuca and the three diploid species genomes; the remainder of the ochroleuca genome had homologous chromosomes. Apparently A. ochroleuca carried enough cryptic intergenomal homologies which ordinarily remained unexposed. In the hemizygous state however, as in the F1's, there was intergenomal pairing. In an attempt to resolve the conflict between homology and bivalent pairing in the species, a diploidizing genetic mechanism is envisaged. Alternatively an acute propensity to preferential pairing caused bivalent formation. Such a system or systems caused meiotic isolation of various genomes and instituted normal fertility. Furthermore, the segmental allotetraploid nature of A. ochroleuca is concluded. The cytogenetic relationship between mexicana and ochroleuca is appraised.