Lycopene: an antioxidant product reducing dithane toxicity in Allium cepa L.

Abstract

The current study was undertaken to assess the attenuating potential of lycopene against Dithane toxicity in Alliumcepa L. roots. A.cepa bulbs were arranged in 6 groups. The control group was treated with tap water while the other groups were treated with 215 mg/L lycopene, 430 mg/L lycopene, 500 mg/L Dithane, 500 mg/L Dithane + 215 mg/L lycopene and 500 mg/L Dithane + 430 mg/L lycopene, respectively. When the treatments were completed, growth inhibition, biochemical, genotoxicity and meristematic cell injury analyses were performed. Lycopene did not cause any toxic effect when applied alone. While rooting percentage, root elongation, weight gain and mitotic index (MI) decreased in response to Dithane exposure, the frequency of micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) in addition to malondialdehyde (MDA) level and the catalytic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) increased. Dithane promoted fragment, sticky chromosome, vagrant chromosome, unequal distribution of chromatin, bridge, nucleus bud and reverse polarization formation in meristem cells. Dithane also provoked meristematic cell injuries, including indistinct appearance of vascular tissue, epidermis cell damage and flattened cell nucleus. Lycopene mitigated all damage types, depending on the lycopene dose applied with Dithane. Hence, the data analysis revealed that lycopene provides exceptional antioxidant protection against the fungicide Dithane, which has devastating toxic potential.

Lycopene: A Potent Antioxidant with Multiple Health Benefits

“…Through their actions, toxins disrupt homeostasis, alter gene expression, and cancer-related metabolic signalling pathways [ 224 ]. Research has demonstrated that lycopene as a dietary supplement effectively mitigates the deleterious effects of myco-, bacterial, and chemical toxins [ 225 ] [ 125 , 226 , 227 ], fungicides [ 228 ], pesticides [ 229 ], herbicides [ 230 ], and fluoride [ 231 ]. It is hypothesised that lycopene mediates protection against toxins through its potent antioxidant, chelating, and antiapoptotic properties [ 224 ].…”

The Importance of Antioxidant Activity for the Health-Promoting Effect of Lycopene

“…After absorption from food, it is mainly stored in the liver, prostate, and adrenals. It is also present in lower concentrations, e.g., in the brain and skin [3,26]. The adipose tissue contains more lycopene than serum because it is a lipophilic compound [25].…”

Monitoring genotoxic, biochemical and morphotoxic potential of penoxsulam and the protective role of European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) extract

“…Allium cepa L. is an effective plant model for assessing the hazardous effects of environmental pollutants 26 – 29 . About 148 compounds have been evaluated by 164 Allium test and have shown 76% result similarities with other studies 30 .…”