Radiofrequency radiations (RFRs) emitted by mobile phone base stations have raised concerns on its adverse impact on humans residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations. Therefore, the present study was envisaged to evaluate the effect of RFR on the DNA damage and antioxidant status in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) of individuals residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations and comparing it with healthy controls. The study groups matched for various demographic data including age, gender, dietary pattern, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, duration of mobile phone use and average daily mobile phone use. The RF power density of the exposed individuals was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) when compared to the control group. The HPBLs were cultured and the DNA damage was assessed by cytokinesis blocked micronucleus (MN) assay in the binucleate lymphocytes. The analyses of data from the exposed group (n = 40), residing within a perimeter of 80 m of mobile base stations, showed significantly (p < 0.0001) higher frequency of micronuclei when compared to the control group, residing 300 m away from the mobile base station/s. The analysis of various antioxidants in the plasma of exposed individuals revealed a significant attrition in glutathione (GSH) concentration (p < 0.01), activities of catalase (CAT) (p < 0.001) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.001) and rise in lipid peroxidation (LOO) when compared to controls. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed a significant association among reduced GSH concentration (p < 0.05), CAT (p < 0.001) and SOD (p < 0.001) activities and elevated MN frequency (p < 0.001) and LOO (p < 0.001) with increasing RF power density.

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Background Mussaenda macrophylla is a shrub widely used in Mizo traditional practice for treatment of cancer, fever, cough, ulcer and dysentery. We have previously shown the antioxidant nature of the plant. In this study, we explore the anticancer activity of the aqueous extract of M. macrophylla (MMAE) using Dalton’s lymphoma ascites (DLA) bearing mice as our model. Results MMAE significantly inhibited the tumor growth and increased the survival time of the tumor bearing DLA mice. MMAE significantly increased the glutathione (GSH) levels; and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Consistently, MMAE decreased lipid peroxidation levels in DLA mice. Reduced RBC and hemoglobin levels were significantly reversed by MMAE treatment. MMAE also lowers the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatinine (CRE) levels that were otherwise elevated in the DLA control animals. Induction of DNA damage, up-regulation of pro-apoptotic genes and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes in DLA bearing mice following MMAE treatment provide an insight into apoptosis based anticancer activities of M. macrophylla. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate the role of the aqueous extract of M. macrophylla as a potential anticancer agent possibly targeting the apoptotic pathway. Graphical Abstract

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