International Journal of Drug Research and Technology

EVALUATION OF ANTI-GENOTOXIC ACTIVITY OF APOCYNIN AGAINST CYCLOPHOSPHMIDE-INDUCED DAMAGES IN BONE MARROW CELLS OF MICE AND ROOT MERISTEM CELLS OF ALLIUM CEPA L

Abstract

G. Hema1,2*, D. Subbarao2 and B.S. Thippeswamy3,

Increased exposure to environmental pollutants, industrial chemicals and cytotoxic substances can lead to mutagenic events in DNA and carcinogenesis. Some naturally occurring compounds are known to inhibit mutagenesis and carcinogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Apocynin is a major constituent of extracts of Himalayan herb Picrorhiza kurroa, used traditionally to treat asthma and inflammation and is a strong NADPH-oxidase inhibitor. Our studies aimed at assessing the genotoxic and antigenotoxic properties of Apocynin against cyclophosphomide induced genotoxicity in bone marrow of mice and root tip meristematic cells of Allium cepa. The results of our experiments indicate the ability of Apocynin to significantly lower the incidence of micronucleated PCEs and chromosomal aberrations in the test systems