ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: CANOVA(®) (CA) is a homeopathic immunomodulator. It contains several homeopathic medicines prepares according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. CA is indicated in clinical conditions in which the immune system is impaired and against tumors. N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) is an N-nitroso compound, with genotoxic/mutagenic properties. Although several studies have shown promising results in the use of CA, there are no studies reporting possible antigenotoxic effects. METHOD: This study evaluated the in vitro antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects of CA in human lymphocytes exposed to NMU. Samples of human lymphocytes that were subjected to different concentrations of a mixture containing CA and NMU were used. The genotoxicity/antigenotoxicity of CA was evaluated by the comet assay, anticytotoxicity was assessed by quantification of apoptosis and necrosis using acridine orange/ethidium bromide. RESULTS: CA significantly reduced DNA damage induced by NMU and reduced significantly the frequency of NMU-induced apoptosis after 24 h of treatment. CONCLUSION: CA has an important cytoprotective effect significantly reducing the DNA damage and apoptosis induced by the carcinogen NMU.
Subject(s)
Crotalid Venoms/pharmacology , Cytoprotection , DNA Damage/drug effects , Homeopathy , Lymphocytes/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Adult , Apoptosis , Cells, Cultured , Female , Humans , Male , Methylnitrosourea/adverse effects , Mutagenicity TestsABSTRACT
Sources of light beams such as white fluorescent light, are present in our daily life to meet the needs of life in the modern world. This study was conducted with the objective of determining the possible genotoxic, cytotoxic and aneugenic effects caused by this agent in different stages of the cell cycle (G0/early G1, S, and late G2), using different cytogenetic parameters (sister chromatid exchanges--SCE, chromosome aberrations--CA, and detection of aneugenic effects) in lymphocytes from temporary cultures of human peripheral blood. WFL showed a genotoxic effect in vitro, expressed by an increase in the frequency of SCE's, regardless of the cell cycle stage. However, no increase in the frequency of CAs was observed. In addition, disturbances in cell cycle kinetics and chromosomal segregation were also observed. Taken together, such data may contribute to a better understanding and a different management in the use of phototherapy for some pathological conditions.
Subject(s)
Chromosome Aberrations/radiation effects , Light/adverse effects , Lymphocytes/radiation effects , Radiation, Nonionizing/adverse effects , Sister Chromatid Exchange/radiation effects , Cell Cycle/radiation effects , Cells, Cultured , Humans , Lymphocytes/ultrastructure , Mitotic IndexABSTRACT
Introdução: O mercúrio e seus derivados são considerados poluentes ambientais originados de várias fontes. A preocupação maior a respeito da poluição mercurial é decorrente dos efeitos à saúde relacionados à exposição ao mercúrio metilado (metilmercúrio) encontrado na água e alimentos aquáticos. O sistema nervoso central é o alvo principal do metilmercúrio. Este metal também é reconhecidamente um agente teratogênico. No entanto, seus efeitos genotóxicos(ação no DNA) são de difícil interpretação e contraditórios. Objetivo: Este trabalho tem por objetivo realizar uma revisão bibliográfica enfocando os efeitos biológicos deste metal e seus derivados em humanos, visando uma melhor compreensão sobre seu variado modo de ação na saúde dos indivíduos. Método: Foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico com trabalhos pertinentes, enfatizando-se a produção mais recente a respeito do assunto. Considerações Finais: Os efeitos biológicos do mercúrio e seus derivados são extremamentes variados, apresentado, no entanto, consequências suficientemente graves que justificam a realização cada vez maior de estudos suplementares, que servirão como modelos para manter a integridade da saúde de pessoas expostas
