Nongenotoxic effects and a reduction of the DXR-induced genotoxic effects of Helianthus annuus Linné (sunflower) seeds revealed by micronucleus assays in mouse bone marrow

Abstract

BackgroundThis research evaluated the genotoxicity of oil and tincture of H. annuus L. seeds using the micronucleus assay in bone marrow of mice. The interaction between these preparations and the genotoxic effects of doxorubicin (DXR) was also analysed (antigenotoxicity test).MethodsExperimental groups were evaluated at 24-48 h post treatment with N-Nitroso-N-ethylurea (positive control – NEU), DXR (chemotherapeutic), NaCl (negative control), a sunflower tincture (THALS) and two sources of sunflower oils (POHALS and FOHALS). Antigenotoxic assays were carried out using the sunflower tincture and oils separately and in combination with NUE or DXR.ResultsFor THALS, analysis of the MNPCEs showed no significant differences between treatment doses (250–2,000 mg.Kg-1) and NaCl. A significant reduction in MNPCE was observed when THALS (2,000 mg.Kg-1) was administered in combination with DXR (5 mg.Kg-1). For POHALS or FOHALS, analysis of the MNPCEs also showed no significant differences between treatment doses (250–2,000 mg.Kg-1) and NaCl. However, the combination DXR + POHALS (2,000 mg.Kg-1) or DXR + FOHALS (2,000 mg.Kg-1) not contributed to the MNPCEs reduction.ConclusionsThis research suggests absence of genotoxicity of THALS, dose-, time- and sex-independent, and its combination with DXR can reduce the genotoxic effects of DXR. POHALS and FOHALS also showed absence of genotoxicity, but their association with DXR showed no antigenotoxic effects.

In vitro mutagenicity assay (Ames test) and phytochemical characterization of seeds oil of Helianthus annuus Linné (sunflower)

“…Recently, a micronucleus test in mouse bone marrow showed no clastogenic and/or aneugenic effects of the tincture and H. annuus L. seed (sunflower) oils from two sources regardless of the dose (0.25–2 g/kg) and treatment time (24 and 48 h), but the results were sex-independent (sunflower tincture) or sex-dependent (sunflower oils) [22] . Differently, in lymphocytes incubated with a water extract of heated sunflower oil containing 0.075 or 0.15 μM thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (this extract had a high content of polar aldehydes), the rate of chromosomal breakage was 18.4% and 23.1% compared to 8.7% and 6.6% or 8.1% and 9.2%, respectively, in lymphocytes incubated with the same volume of a water extract from a non-heated oil or distilled water [21] .…”

“…The absence of clastogenicity and/or aneugenicity in two sources of oil and a tincture of H. annuus L. (sunflower) seeds was also confirmed by in vivo micronucleus assays in mouse bone marrow and was dose-independent, time-independent and sex-independent, except for the oil. However, systemic toxicity of sunflower oil might be dependent on its origin and dose [22] .…”

Reduction of doxorubicin-induced genotoxicity by Handroanthus impetiginosus in mouse bone marrow revealed by micronucleus assay

“…More recently, the absence of genotoxicity of the tincture and two sources of oils of H. annuus was observed in the bone marrow of Swiss albinus mice using micronucleus assay, but indications of antigenotoxic effects were related to combination treatment with the tincture and DXR, suggesting a partial protective mechanism against DXR-induced genotoxic effects (Boriollo et al, 2014a). Finally, the nongenotoxicity of Z. joazeiro and its antigenotoxic effects when administered together with DXR were also related as shown by micronucleus assay in the bone marrow of Swiss albinus mice (Boriollo et al, 2014b).…”

“…For example, the effect of various concentrations of A. marmelos (Venkatesh et al, 2007), C. langsdorffii (Alves et al, 2013), H. annuus (Boriollo et al, 2014a), and Z. joazeiro (Boriollo et al, 2014b) on doxorubicin (DXR)-induced genotoxic effects in mice bone marrow was studied. The treatment of mice with A. marmelos, for consecutive days before DXR treatment, significantly reduced the frequency of DXR-induced micronuclei and increased the PCE/NCE ratio at all scoring times compared with DXR treatment alone.…”

“…joazeiro (Boriollo et al, 2014b) against chemotherapeutic DXR-induced cumulative toxicity (antigenotoxic effects).…”