title: Evaluation of antigenotoxic effects of carotenoids from green algae Chlorococcum humicola using human lymphocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the available phytochemicals and carotenoids in the selected green algae and evaluate the potential genotoxic/antigenotoxic effect using lymphocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Organic solvent extracts of Chlorococcum humicola (C. humicola) were used for the phytochemical analysis. The available carotenoids were assessed by HPLC, and LC-MS analysis. The genotoxicity was induced by the benzo(a)pyrene in the lymphocyte culture, the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of algal carotenoids with and without genotoxic inducer were evaluated by chromosomal aberration (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus assay (MN).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the analysis showed that the algae were rich in carotenoids and fatty acids. In the total carotenoids lutein, β-carotene and α-carotene were found to be present in higher concentration. The frequency of CA and SCE increased by benzo(a)pyrene were significantly decreased by the carotenoids (P<0.05 for CA, P<0.001 for SCE). The MN frequencies of the cells were significantly decreased by the treatment with carotenoids when compared with the positive controls (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of the present study demonstrate that, the green algae C. humicola is a rich source of bioactive compounds especially carotenoids which effectively fight against environmental genotoxic agents, the carotenoids itself is not a genotoxic substance and should be further considered for its beneficial effects.
authors.affiliation: Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhagavathy
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sumathi
mesh_terms: D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000187:drug effects*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008940:Mitotic Index; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects; D016823:Volvocida
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D002338:Carotenoids
keywords: Antigenotoxicity; Benzo(a)pyrene; Carotenoids; Chlorococcum humicola; Chromosomal aberration; Genotoxicity; Green algae; Micronucleus assay; Sister chromatid exchange