Phytoalexin resveratrol attenuates the mutagenicity of the heterocyclic amines 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine and 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline.
Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, that belongs to a family of naturally occurring stilbenes. It has been reported that resveratrol can inhibit chemical carcinogenesis in experimental animals and although the mechanisms involved are unknown, an anti-mutagen mechanism has been proposed. We have explored this hypothesis using mutagenicity assays based on bacterial (Salmonella typhimurium) and eukaryotic cells (Chinese hamster V79 cells). We found resveratrol to be potent in both systems, blocking the mutagenicity of the food-derived heterocyclic amines (HA) 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP) at micromolar concentrations. Furthermore, in cells capable of activating 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine to cytotoxic derivatives, resveratrol was able to attenuate cytotoxicity. Paradoxically, in cells lacking the ability to activate PhIP, resveratrol itself was toxic and co-incubation with PhIP reduced this toxicity. Our data confirm the potent anti-mutagenic activity of resveratrol and support its potential as a chemopreventative.
Boyce
Antony
A
Molecular Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Sir Alexander Fleming Building, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
Doehmer
Johannes
J
Gooderham
Nigel J
NJ
D000818:Animals; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D006224:Cricetinae; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000633:toxicity*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000633:toxicity*; D000077185:Resveratrol; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013729:Terpenes; D000094162:Phytoalexins
D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D009153:Mutagens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011810:Quinoxalines; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013267:Stilbenes; D013729:Terpenes; C036990:2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo(4,5-f)quinoxaline; C049584:2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo(4,5-b)pyridine; D000077185:Resveratrol; D000094162:Phytoalexins