INVESTIGATION ON THE ANTI-GENOTOXIC EFFECT OF OCIMUM SANCTUM IN FLUORIDE INDUCED MICRONUCLEI.

Srilatha Kambam*, David Banji, Otilia J.F. Banji and Surekha Gonepally

ABSTRACT

The effect of various doses, viz. 100 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg of body weight of ethyl acetate fraction of Ocimum sanctum (ETOAC) was studied in the fluoride induced micronucleated polychromatic (MNPCE) and normochromatic erythrocytes in mice bone marrow and peripheral blood. The treatment of mice with various doses of ETOAC before treatment with sodium fluoride resulted in significant decline in the frequency of MNPCE and MNNCE. The significant reduction in MNPCE and MNNCE was observed for 800 mg/kg bodyweight accompanied by the decrease in oxidative stress and better antioxidant capacity. The time dependent study was also carried out with 100 mg/kg for 3 days and 7 days in which the treatment for 7 days was found to be significant. The ETOAC was found to exhibit reduction in the formation of lipid peroxides. The highest FRAP value was obtained with 800 mg/ kg of ETOAC and similar effects were observed with 100 mg/kg of ETOAC for 7 days treatment. Our study demonstrates that ETOAC is able to protect fluoride induced micronuclei in mice bone marrow, peripheral blood and oxidative stress. The presence of flavonoids and tannins may be responsible for this protective action.

Keywords: Fluoride, Ocimum sanctum, Micronuclei, Oxidative stress.