Areca nut and smokeless tobacco exposure induces micronucleus, other nuclear abnormalities and cytotoxicity in early chick embryo

Abstract

Areca nut (AN) and smokeless tobacco (SLT) are indiscriminately consumed among the populations of Southeast and South Asian countries, even by women during the gestational period. This study aimed to investigate the genotoxic and cytotoxic potentials of AN and Sadagura (SG), a unique homemade SLT preparation, alone and in combination in early chick embryos. Fertile white leghorn chicken eggs were randomly divided into five treatment groups: vehicle control, positive control (Mitomycin C, 20 μg/egg), AN, SG, and AN +SG. AN, SG, and AN+SG were given at dosages of 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/ egg. The hen's egg test for micronucleus induction (HET-MN) was performed in chick embryos to evaluate the genotoxic potential of the test agents. Furthermore, the cytotoxic potential was assessed by studying erythroblast cell populations and the polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) to normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs) ratio. Our results indicated a significant increase (p < .001) in MN frequency and other nuclear abnormalities, suggesting the potential of AN and SG to cause genotoxicity. Also, AN and SG exposure alone and in combination considerably altered the erythroblast cell population (%) and the PCE to NCE ratio in all the treatment periods. Our findings established the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of both AN and SG alone and in combination during early embryonic development in the chick embryo.

Effects of Nicotine on Chicken Embryo Development: A Review

“…Nicotine exposure at early developmental stages affects the embryonic survival rate and is accountable for over five million premature deaths across the world annually [23]. The genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of Areca nut and smokeless tobacco were described [24]. In the study conducted by Shan et al [19,25] to observe the survival of nicotine-administered chick embryos observed a 90% survival rate in the control group and in that exposed to green tea extract, a 20% survival rate in the group administered nicotine, and a survival rate of 50% in the chicks exposed to both nicotine and green tea extract.…”