Amelioration of Sodium Arsenite-Induced Clastogenicity by Tea Extracts in Chinese Hamster V79 Cells

Abstract

Since the early 1980s, an alarming problem of groundwater arsenic (As) contamination has devastated many districts of West Bengal in India. People drinking As-contaminated water have been suffering severe health problems such as hyperkeratosis, blackfoot disease, neuropathy, and cancer of various sites. DNA damage and genetic instability induced by the inorganic arsenicals present in water are thought to be prerequisites for the initiation of carcinogenesis. Many natural polyphenols, which are consumed through our daily diet, possess excellent cancer chemopreventive properties. Tea, a popular beverage worldwide and rich in polyphenols, has exhibited many health benefits. The present study was conducted to examine the anticlastogenic action of tea extracts (both green and black) against the As-induced chromosomal aberrations. We also evaluated the role of tea in inducing antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase to provide protection against the oxidative stress induced by As. Our results demonstrated that tea extracts, particularly Darjeeling tea extract, are effective in counteracting the clastogenicity (chromatid breaks, in particular) of the most potent form of As, sodium arsenite. The antioxidant function of tea in reducing clastogenicity may be partly due to the induction of phase II detoxification enymes, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase. Our results suggest that the use of tea may be an effective approach in combating the health crisis generated by As.