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An Automated Method to Perform The In Vitro Micronucleus Assay using Multispectral Imaging Flow Cytometry
Published on: May 13, 2019
Evaluation of apigenin using in vitro cytochalasin blocked micronucleus assay
Sanjeev Noel1, Madhu Kasinathan, Srikanta Kumar Rath
1Genotoxicity Laboratory, Division of Toxicology, Central Drug Research Institute, M.G. Marg, Lucknow 226 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Abstract:
High doses of flavonoids are reported to be clastogenic in contrast to their potential to reduce oxidative DNA damage, retard growth of leukemia cells, obstruct cell signal transduction and induce cellular differentiation in cancers. In the present study, we evaluated apigenin, a plant-derived flavonoid in doses of 10, 33, and 100 microM per 5 ml culture using cytochalasin-B blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay in peripheral human lymphocytes. Apigenin was found to induce micronuclei in a dose dependent manner indicating potential genotoxic hazard in humans. Hence, flavonoids may act as mutagen, pro-oxidant or as inhibitor of key enzymes to produce clastogenic effects depending upon the levels consumed as well as the physiological parameters.
Insights
High doses of the flavonoid apigenin may pose a genotoxic risk. This study found apigenin induced micronuclei in human lymphocytes, suggesting potential mutagenic effects at high concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Flavonoids exhibit dual roles, potentially reducing oxidative DNA damage while also showing clastogenic effects at high doses.
- Contradictory findings exist regarding flavonoid genotoxicity, necessitating further investigation into specific compounds like apigenin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the genotoxic potential of apigenin, a plant-derived flavonoid, in human peripheral lymphocytes.
- To determine if apigenin induces chromosomal damage in a dose-dependent manner.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the cytochalasin-B blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay.
- Exposed peripheral human lymphocytes to varying concentrations of apigenin (10, 33, and 100 microM).
Main Results:
- Apigenin demonstrated a dose-dependent induction of micronuclei in human lymphocytes.
- The results indicate a potential genotoxic hazard associated with high apigenin exposure.
Conclusions:
- Flavonoids, including apigenin, can exhibit clastogenic effects at high concentrations.
- The genotoxic outcome of flavonoids may depend on dosage and individual physiological factors, potentially acting as mutagens or pro-oxidants.
