Anticlastogenic Potentials of Ivy Gourd, Sesbania, Lemon Grass and Chinese Kale in the Mouse

ABSTRACT

A number of vegetables and fruits are known to contain various kinds of chemical possessing chemopreventive potential. Recently, we reported that some Thai vegetables, i.e. ivy gourd leaves (Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt, Sesbania flowers (Sesbania grandiflora Linn.), lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf) and Chinese kale (Brassica alboglabra) contained anti-mutagens against indirect carcinogens/mutagens such as alflatoxin B₁1 (AFB₁) and benz (a) pyrene. The present study aimed at the determination of anti-clastogenic activity of the above vegetables against clastogens/carcinogens i.e. mitomycin C (MMC) and 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) using the in vivo mouse erythrocyte micronucleus assay. Mice were fed either with semipurified diet containing various concentrations of ground lyophilized vegetables for 2 weeks prior to administration of MMC and DMBA. Blood samples were collected before and after carcinogens administration and counted for reticulocytes both with micronucleus (micronucleated peripheral reticulocytes, MNRETs) and without micronucleus by using fluorescent microscope. It was found that feeding diets containing 5% and 10 % of ivy gourd leaves significantly decreased the number of MNRETs induced by both MMC and DMBA. Sesbania flowers at 5% and 10% also caused a reduction in the number of MNRETs induced by both MMC and DMBA, however, the difference was significant only at high concentration. On the other hand, lemon grass at 5% and 10% decreased MNRETs induced by both MMC and DMBA. Interestingly however, the effect was statistically significant only at high concentration in DMBA-treated group. Chinese kale at 10% and 20% could not reduce MNRETs. The present study demonstrated that leaves of ivy gourd and flowers of sesbania possessed anticlastogenic activity against both direct and indirect-acting clastogens in the mouse. In addition, lemon grass could inhibit the clastogenicity of only indirect-acting clastogen. While Chinese kale did not inhibit the clastogenicity.