Evaluation of the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of Baccharis dracunculifolia extract on V79 cells by the comet assay

Abstract

Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae), the main botanical source of green propolis, is a shrub of the Brazilian 'cerrado'. In folk medicine it is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, mainly for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of B. dracunculifolia ethyl acetate extract (Bd-EAE) on Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79 cells) by the comet assay. Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS; 200 microM) was used as an inducer of DNA damage. Genotoxicity was evaluated using four different concentrations of Bd-EAE: 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 and 100.0 microg ml(-1). Antigenotoxicity was assessed before, simultaneously, and after treatment with the mutagen. The results showed a significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage in cultures treated with 50.0 and 100.0 microg ml(-1) Bd-EAE. Regarding its antigenotoxic potential, Bd-EAE reduced the frequency of DNA damage induced by MMS. However, this chemopreventive activity depended on the concentrations and treatment regimens used. The antioxidant activity of phenolic components present in Bd-EAE may contribute to reduce the alkylation damage induced by MMS. In conclusion, our findings confirmed the chemopreventive activity of Bd-EAE and showed that this effect occurs under different mechanism.

Antioxidant Properties and Protective Effect of Turkish Propolis on t-BHP-Induced Oxidative Stress in Foreskin Fibroblast Cells

“…Polyphenols show their antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic effects not only that by preventing the spread of free radicals, but also by chelating the transition metals in the environment and inhibiting radical generating reactions, therefore by preventing radical generation. 46 …”

Effects of Turkish propolis on expression of hOGG-1 and NEIL-1

“…They suggested that this might derive from stimulation of the DNA repair mechanism in addition to the antioxidant activity of baicalin (19). MMS, H 2 O 2 , ferrous sulfate, t-BHP, and doxorubicine have been reported to cause in vitro DNA damage in cells in antigenotoxicity studies (4,13,19,20). In this study, t-BHP was used to damage DNA in fibroblasts.…”

“…hOGG-1 and NEIL-1 expression levels increased significantly according to the expression analysis with mRNA samples of EEP-treated cells. They suggested that this action could be attributed to the free radical scavenging and inducing expression of the DNA repair enzyme activities of the polyphenolic content of Baccharis dracunculifolia (13).…”

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assessment of Euphorbia hirta in MCF-7 cell line model using comet assay

“…Therefore, the determination of the potential mutagenic effect of E. hirta extract which exhibited cytotoxic activity is mandatory [16] . Consequently, comet assay was used in this study for further evaluation on the potential mutagenic effect of E. hirta extract.…”