Effect of quercetin on nicotine-induced biochemical changes and DNA damage in rat peripheral blood lymphocytes

Abstract

We elucidated the protective effect of quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, on lipid peroxidation, endogenous antioxidant status and DNA damage during nicotine-induced toxicity in cultured rat peripheral blood lymphocytes as compared to N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a well-known antioxidant. Lymphocytes were exposed to nicotine (3 mM) with and without quercetin and NAC (1 mM) in RPMI-1640 medium for 1 h. In preliminary experiments to fix the effective dose of quercetin, different doses of quercetin (25, 50, 75, 100 and 200 microM) were administered to lymphocytes with nicotine, and lipid peroxidation markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides) were analysed. A 75 microM dose of quercetin was found to be effective as evidenced by decreased lipid peroxidation. To evaluate the protective potential of quercetin against genotoxic effects of nicotine we used comet and micronucleus assays, which are valid parameters to assess genetic damage. In addition, biochemical changes including lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status were assessed. There were significant increases in the levels of lipid peroxidation, comet parameters and micronuclei frequencies, followed by decrease in the endogenous antioxidant status, in nicotine-treated lymphocytes, which were brought back to near normal by quercetin or NAC treatment. The protective effect of quercetin against nicotine toxicity was comparable to that of NAC. These findings suggest that quercetin can be as effective as NAC in protecting rat peripheral lymphocytes against nicotine-induced cellular and DNA damage.

Protective properties of complex of quercetin, selenium, catechins and curcumin against DNA damage

“…In another work the protective effects of introduced polyphenols against DNA damage induced by three carcinogenic compounds which occur in the environment were described [19]. In experimental studies on rats the protective effects of quercetin against mercury or nicotine induced DNA damage were found [20,21]. Regular intake of catechins from green tea drinking might protect smokers from oxidative damages and could reduce cancer risk or other diseases caused by free radicals associated with smoking [22].…”

Molecular aspects on the interaction of quercetin and its metal complexes with DNA

“…cadmium ions) and prevent them from the interaction with DNA [41]. Muthukumaran et al compared the protective effect of quercetin against nicotine induced prooxidant and antioxidant imbalance in circulation, lung, liver and kidney of experimental rats with N-acetylcysteine, a wellknown antioxidant [38,43]. They believed that quercetin exerts its protective effect against DNA damage by modulating the level of lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant defense system in experimental animals [38].…”

Ameliorative effect of grapefruit juice on amiodarone–induced cytogenetic and testicular damage in albino rats

“…Furthermore, these compounds were found to be potent inhibitors of debenzylation activity of CYP3A4 enzyme. Muthukumaran et al investigated the protective effect of quercetin (QN) against nicotine-induced prooxidant and antioxidant imbalance in circulation, lung, liver and kidney of experimental rats [35]. The extent of DNA damage (evaluated by comet assay) was significantly increased in circulatory blood of nicotine-treated rats, which was effectively brought down by QN treatment.…”