Protective role of eugenol on arsenic induced oxidative DNA damage and modulatory effect of GSTO2 polymorphism

Abstract

Arsenic exposure is one of the major health problem worldwide. It is related with various cancers and numerous other pathological effects. The present work was aimed to study the ameliorative effects of eugenol against arsenic mediated oxidative DNA damage using Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), comet, and lipid peroxidation assays as biomarkers. For the genotyping of GSTO2, PCR RFLP method was used. The treatment with sodium arsenite showed dose dependent increase in frequency of SCE, comet tail moment (Tm), and lipid peroxidation (TBARS levels). On administration of eugenol (10 and 20 µM) significant dose dependent decrease in the number of SCE, Tm value, and TBARS levels observed in arsenic treated cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes. Nonsignificant effects of GSTO2 polymorphism perceived on arsenic genotoxicity and eugenol antigenotoxicity. The results of the present work suggest a protective role of eugenol against arsenic induced genotoxic and oxidative damage in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Practical application Arsenic contamination of groundwater is one of the leading environmental issues worldwide. Chronic exposure of arsenic cause several health problems including tumor manifestation. The results of the present study suggest the use of indigenous dietary elements, herbs, shrubs as a safer and effective preventative medicine against heavy metal induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress.