Abstract
BackgroundAyurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine has given great emphasis to the promotion of health. Rasayana is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda which refers to rejuvenant therapy. It has been reported that rasayanas have immuno-modulatory, antioxidant and antitumor functions, however, the genotoxic potential and modulation of DNA repair of many rasayanas have not been evaluated.MethodsThe present study assessed the role of Brahmarasayana (BR) on Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-and Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS)-induced genotoxicity and DNA repair in in vivo mouse test system. The mice were orally fed with BR (5 g or 8 mg / day) for two months and 24 h later EMS or MMS was given intraperitoneally. The genotoxicity was analyzed by chromosomal aberrations, sperm count, and sperm abnormalities.ResultsThe results have revealed that BR did not induce significant chromosomal aberrations when compared to that of the control animals (p >0.05). On the other hand, the frequencies of chromosomal aberrations induced by EMS (240 mg / kg body weight) or MMS (125 mg / kg body weight) were significantly higher (p<0.05) to that of the control group. The treatment of BR for 60 days and single dose of EMS or MMS on day 61, resulted in significant (p <0.05) reduction in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in comparison to EMS or MMS treatment alone, indicating a protective effect of BR. Constitutive base excision repair capacity was also increased in BR treated animals.ConclusionThe effect of BR, as it relates to antioxidant activity was not evident in liver tissue however rasayana treatment was observed to increase constitutive DNA base excision repair and reduce clastogenicity. Whilst, the molecular mechanisms of such repair need further exploration, this is the first report to demonstrate these effects and provides further evidence for the role of brahmarasayana in the possible improvement of quality of life.
Highlights
Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine has given great emphasis to the promotion of health
The present study addressed the effect of BR on DNA repair and Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) or Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS)-induced chromosomal aberrations in in vivo mouse test system
The frequencies of chromosomal aberrations induced by methyl methanesulfonate (MMS; positive control) was significantly higher when compared to controls at all recovery times tested (Figure 1B)
Summary
The traditional Indian system of medicine has given great emphasis to the promotion of health. India is one of the most medico-culturally diverse countries in the world where Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and other forms of traditional practice have been the mainstay to maintain human health and prevent diseases until the era of modern medicine. In addition to these systems, there are large numbers of folklore healers in this stream who have not been structured under these categories. There are certain organ and tissue specific Rasayanas such as Medhya rasayana for the brain, Hridya rasayana for the heart, Twachya rasayana for the skin and Chakshusya rasayana for the eyes They may be age specific as they promote nutrition relevant to natural bio-losses occurring at different phases of human life [2]. Rasayana drugs are rich in antioxidants and are good hepato-protective [1] and immunomodulating [3] agents
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