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The genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of tannic acid in human lymphocytes

Mehmet Buyukleyla1, Sebile Azirak, Eyyup Rencuzogullari

  • 1Natural and Applied Science Institute, Department of Biology, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey.

Drug and Chemical Toxicology
|July 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Tannic acid (TA) showed genotoxic effects, inducing chromosome aberrations and synergistic cytotoxicity in human lymphocytes. While not directly causing sister chromatid exchanges or micronuclei alone, TA enhanced these effects when combined with EMS.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Tannic acid (TA), a common plant polyphenol, has diverse biological activities.
  • Investigating the genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of TA is crucial for understanding its safety profile.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the genotoxic potential of tannic acid (TA) in human peripheral lymphocytes.
  • To assess the antigenotoxicity of TA against the mutagen ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS).

Main Methods:

  • Human peripheral lymphocytes were exposed to varying concentrations of TA for 24 and 48 hours.
  • Chromosome aberration (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and micronucleus (MN) tests were performed.
  • Cytotoxicity was assessed using mitotic and nuclear division indices, and replication index.

Main Results:

  • TA induced chromosome aberrations (CA) and synergistic cytotoxicity, decreasing mitotic and replication indices.
  • TA alone did not induce sister chromatid exchange (SCE) or micronucleus (MN) formation.
  • TA synergistically enhanced EMS-induced CA and SCE, and exhibited synergistic cytotoxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Tannic acid exhibits genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in human lymphocytes, particularly in combination with EMS.
  • TA's potential to induce chromosome damage and reduce cell division warrants further investigation.
  • The findings highlight the complex interaction of TA with mutagens and its impact on cellular processes.

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