Cytotoxic and Chemopreventive Effects of Gemin D Against Different Mutagens Using In Vitro and In Vivo Assays.
BACKGROUND
Gemin D (GD) is an ellagitannin found in several plant species rich in phenolic compounds. Its many beneficial properties include antioxidant and antitumoral.


OBJECTIVE
The present study assessed the genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, antigenotoxicity, and anticytotoxicity of GD by in vitro and in vivo assays.


METHODS
The Ames mutagenicity assay in Salmonella typhimurium, Micronucleus and Comet tests in mice were used to evaluate the biological activities mentioned above. To assess the GD's protective effects against DNA damage induced by different mutagens we performed co-, pre- and/or post-treatment in these assays.


RESULTS
There was no genotoxic effect of GD via Ames and Micronucleus tests, but in the Comet assay the highest dose induced DNA damage. This same highest dose presented a significant cytotoxicity in mice. In the antigenotoxicity, GD protected DNA against the action of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide and sodium azide by Ames test, and also against the harmful action of cyclophosphamide in pre- and co-treatment by Micronucleus and Comet tests, but it did not protect DNA in post-treatment. Regarding to anticytotoxicity, GD provoked an anticytotoxic effect only during pre-treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, GD showed relevant antigenotoxic, anticytotoxic and cytotoxic effects, which indicate that it may be a probable candidate for chemoprevention or for the development of new cancer therapies.
Department of Genetics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, C.P. 131, Campus Samambaia, P.O.Box 74001-970, Goiania, Brazil.
Cristiene Costa
CC
Carneiro
Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.
Aroldo Vieira
AV
de Moraes-Filho
Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.
Amanda Silva
AS
Fernandes
Chemistry Institute, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.
Suzana
S
da Costa Santos
Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.
Daniela
D
de Melo E Silva
Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, Brazil.
Lee Chen
LC
Chen
D015112:4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D004249:DNA Damage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D019810:Sodium Azide; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; C525521:gemin D; D015112:4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D019810:Sodium Azide
Ellagitannin; ames test; comet assay; cytotoxic and protective effects against different mutagens; gemin D; micronucleus test