Abstract
Boerhaavia diffusa is a traditional herbal medicine extensively used
in the Ayurveda and Unani forms of medicine in India and many parts of the
world. Different parts of the plant are used as an appetizer, alexiteric,
eye tonic, for flushing out the renal system, and to treat blood pressure.
This study was conducted to evaluate the in vivo genotoxic and/or
antigenotoxic potential of punarnavine, a separated alkaloid from the root
of B. diffusa using toxicity studies (OECD guideline 474, 1997). The
genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of punarnavine was assayed using the
comet assay on lymphocytes, liver, spleen, brain, and bone marrow as well as
using the micronucleus test in bone marrow cells including the in
vitro chromosomal aberration test. The results demonstrated that
none of the tested doses of punarnavine showed genotoxic effects by the
comet assay, or clastogenic effects in the micronucleus test. On the other
hand, for all cells evaluated, the three tested doses of punarnavine
promoted inhibition of DNA damage induced by cyclophosphamide. Based on
these results, we concluded that punarnavine, an alkaloid from the
Boerhaavia diffusa root, has no genotoxic or clastogenic effects
in our experimental conditions. However, it caused a significant decrease in
DNA damage induced by cyclophosphamide. It is suggested that the
antigenotoxic properties of this alkaloid may be of great pharmacological
importance and beneficial for cancer prevention.
Key words
punarnavine - antigenotoxic effects - comet assay - micronucleus test - chromosome
aberration test -
Boerhaavia diffusa
- Nyctaginaceae