Assessment of antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon

ABSTRACT

Assessment of antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon Entezari M1, Majd A2, Falahian F3, Mehrabian S4, Hashemi M51 PhD student of Biology, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Science and research Campus, Tehran, Iran. 2 Professor, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran North Branch, Tehran, Iran. 3 Professor, Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University, Science and research Campus, Tehran, Iran. 4 Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Tarbiat Moallem University, Tehran, Iran. 5 Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch Tehran, Iran. Currently cancer is considered as one of the main causes of mortality globally. Many chemicals in our environment can cause genetic mutations and are potentially responsible for millions of cancer-related deaths. The scientists are nowadays looking for food materials which can potentially prevent cancer occurrence. The aim of this research was to examine antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon fruit juices. Material and methods: In the present study Human Astrocytoma cancer cells were cultured in DMEM [Gibco], supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, penicillin, streptomycin, L-glutamine and incubated at 37°C for 2 days. In addition, cancer cell lines were treated by Citrus Limon fruit juice and cellular vital capacity was determined by MTT. The Citrus Limon fruit juice was subsequently evaluated in terms of antimutagenicity and anticancer properties by a standard reverse mutation assay [Ames Test]. For performing Ames Test salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain was chosen based on the fact that it had a specific mutation in the histidine operon, requiring histidine from a foreign source to ensure its growth. The mentioned strain gives rise to reverted colonies exposing to carcinogen substance [Sodium Azide]. During MTT, human Astrocytoma cell line revealed to have a significant cell death when compared with controls [p > 0.01]. In Ames Test the fruit juices prevented the reverted mutations and the hindrance percent of half-ripe Citrus Limon was 71.7% and ripe Citrus Limon was 34.4% in antimutagenicity test and this value in anticancer test was 83.3% and 50% in half-ripe Citrus Limon and ripe Citrus Limon, respectively. This is the first study that revealed antimutagenicity and anticancer effects of Citrus Limon fruit juice and the effects were higher in half-ripe Citrus Limon in comparison to the ripe one