Genotoxicity of Momordica cymbalaria on Bone marrow cells of Swiss Albino mice

Abstract

Genotoxicity is described as the property of the agent to cause changes in the genetic material leading to damage in the genetic information, such agents are called as genotoxins. This property is much seen in drugs that are used in the treatment of cancer. Cyclophosphamide is an anticancer drug that lead to gene toxicity through formation of its metabolites and generation of reactive oxygen species and free radicals that damage the genetic material. The main objectives of this research is to evaluate the effect of Momordica cymbalaria (10mg/kg and 50mg/ kg) on cyclophosphamide induced genotoxicity and also to study the genotoxic effect of Momordica cymbalaria (50mg/kg) without Cyclophosphamide treatment. The dose selection was made based on previous acute toxicity report. Animals were treated with Momordica cymbalaria and bone marrow cells were been isolated to observe the effect of drugs on the chromosomes and cellular division through chromosomal aberration assay and micronuclei assay respectively. Effect of drugs on the anti-oxidant enzymes such as glutathione and cellular lipid peroxidation was studied using the liver homogenate. The test drug Momordica cymbalaria showed significant genoprotective effect in dose dependent manner against the chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei formation induced by Cyclophosphamide. And also there was significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation and rise in GSH levels indicating the anti-oxidant property of the test drugs. The drugs Momordica cymbalaria has significant gene protecting effect in cells from Cyclophosphamide induced genotoxicity