Protective effect of Cassia occidentalis extract on chemical-induced chromosomal aberrations in mice

Drug Chem Toxicol. 1999 Nov;22(4):643-53. doi: 10.3109/01480549908993173.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the antimutagenic potential of aqueous extract of Cassia occidentalis against the chromosomal aberrations (CA) produced in vivo by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and cyclophosphamide (CP) in mice. Animals (male mice) were treated with three doses of plant extract (50 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) for 7 days prior to the administration of single dose of mutagens (B[a]P 125 mg/kg oral; CP 40 mg/kg i.p.). The results indicated that C. occidentalis was not genotoxic per se and exerted no other toxic signs and symptoms in treated animals. The chromosomal aberrations produced by B[a]P and CP were significantly reduced (p < 0.001) by C. occidentalis pre-treatment. Furthermore, animals treated with plant extract showed a reduced level of cytochrome P 450 (Cyt P 450) and elevated levels of glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and glutathione content in the liver. It seems that C. occidentalis exerts its antimutagenic activity by modulating the xenobiotic activation and detoxification mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimutagenic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Benzo(a)pyrene / toxicity
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Cassia* / chemistry
  • Cell Fractionation
  • Chromosome Aberrations*
  • Chromosomes / drug effects*
  • Cyclophosphamide / toxicity
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • Cytosol / drug effects
  • Cytosol / enzymology
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Glutathione Transferase / metabolism
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microsomes, Liver / drug effects
  • Microsomes, Liver / enzymology
  • Mutagens / toxicity
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal*

Substances

  • Antimutagenic Agents
  • Mutagens
  • Plant Extracts
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Glutathione Transferase
  • Glutathione