An anticlastogenic in vivo micronucleus assay for tea.
Common use of antimutagens and anticarcinogens in everyday life is an effective measure for preventing human cancer and genetic diseases. Antioxidant properties of tea have vast potential as protective agents against diverse toxic effects. The present study was aimed to evaluate the role of aqueous clonal tea extracts (green tea, oolong tea and black tea) in modulating the genotoxic damage induced by cyclophosphamide (CP), a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug and a well-known mutagen and clastogen. All the three tea extracts at 1 and 2% concentration did not increase the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPE) in bone marrow cells of mice when administered individually. The tea extracts decreased the micronuclei (MN) induced by CP. Therefore, regular intake of tea may improve the antioxidant status in in vivo and thereby reduce the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease.
Edwin
Deepa
D
Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641 046, Tamil Nadu, India. deepaedwin@lycos.com
Geetha
V R
VR
Vishwanathan
H
H
Usha Rani
M V
MV
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D051379:Mice; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods; D009153:Mutagens / Q000009:adverse effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D013662:Tea
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D009153:Mutagens; D013662:Tea; D003520:Cyclophosphamide