Artichoke induces genetic toxicity and decreases ethyl methanesulfonate-related DNA damage in Chinese hamster ovary cells.
Cynara scolymus L. (Asteraceae), popularly known as artichoke, has been widely used in herbal medicine for the treatment of hepatic diseases. The genotoxicity of C. scolymus L. leaf extract (LE) and the ability to modulate the genetic toxicity of the alkylating agent ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) were assessed using the comet assay on Chinese hamster ovary cells. Genotoxicity was evaluated after 1- and 24-h treatments using four different LE concentrations: 0.62, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/mL. Antigenotoxicity was assessed for pretreatment, simultaneous treatment, and post-treatment. All doses used led to a significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage, after exposure for 1 and 24 h. In the antigenotoxicity experiments, LE reduced the frequency of DNA damage induced by EMS in the simultaneous treatment only. However, the lowest dose was more protective than higher concentrations. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds are, probably, the C. scolymus constituents responsible for its genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects.
Laboratory of Genetic Toxicity-TOXIGEN, Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Applied Toxicology-PPGGTA, Universidade Luterana do Brasil-ULBRA, Canoas, Brazil.
Laura Vicedo
LV
Jacociunas
Heloisa Helena Rodrigues
HH
de Andrade
Mauricio
M
Lehmann
Bianca Regina Ribas
BR
de Abreu
Alexandre de Barros Falcão
Ade B
Ferraz
Juliana
J
da Silva
Rafael Rodrigues
RR
Dihl
D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D016466:CHO Cells; D002470:Cell Survival; D020552:Comet Assay; D006224:Cricetinae; D031943:Cynara scolymus / Q000737:chemistry*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D005020:Ethyl Methanesulfonate / Q000633:toxicity*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000477:Alkylating Agents; D009153:Mutagens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005020:Ethyl Methanesulfonate