Role of aqueous Bryoria capillaris (Ach.) extract as a genoprotective agent on imazalil-induced genotoxicity in vitro

Abstract

In recent years, a number of studies have suggested that lichens might be the easily accessible sources of natural drugs that could be used as a possible food supplement. Extensive research is being carried out to explore the importance of lichen species, which are known to contain a variety of pharmacological active compounds. On the other hand, imazalil (IMA), a commonly used fungicide in both agricultural and clinical domains, is suspected to produce very serious toxic effects in vertebrates. In this context, the antigenotoxic effect of aqueous Bryoria capillaris (Ach.) extract (BCE) was studied against the genotoxic damage induced by IMA on cultured human lymphocytes using chromosomal aberrations (CA) and micronucleus (MN) as cytogenetic parameters. Human peripheral lymphocytes were treated in vitro with varying concentrations of BCE (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 µg/mL), tested in combination with IMA (336 µg/mL). BCE alone was not genotoxic, and when combined with IMA treatment, it reduced the frequency of CAs and the rates of MN. A clear dose-dependent decrease in the genotoxic damage of IMA was observed, suggesting a genoprotective role of BCE. The results of the present study suggest that this plant extract per se do not have genotoxic potential, but can modulate the genotoxicity of IMA on peripheral human lymphocytes in vitro. In conclusion, our findings may have an important application in the protection of cultured human lymphocyte from the genetic damage and side effects induced by agricultural and medical chemicals that are hazardous to people.

In vitro assessment of cytogenetic and oxidative effects of α-pinene

“…Nowadays, extensive efforts are made to investigate therapeutic substances capable of reducing the genotoxicity of various natural and manmade mutagens in human life. These include vitamins, plant extracts, lichens, fatty acids, and antibodies (Geyikoglu et al, 2011, 2012; Turkez and Aydin, 2012b; Turkez and Dirican, 2012; Turkez and Togar, 2012; Turkez and Geyikoglu, 2011; Turkez et al, 2012a, 2012b, 2012c, 2012d, 2012e; Türkez and Aydin, 2012a; Türkez et al, 2010, 2012f, 2012g, 2012h). α-Pinene is an organic monoterpene found in the oils of many species of coniferous trees, most notably the pine.…”

Biological activities of undescribed North American lichen species

“…Radical scavenging capacity by several lichen extracts was reported recently, as well as in older work using extracts from cultured lichen material . Reports by Turkez and co‐workers suggest a protective role of lichen extracts against specific types of oxidative cell damage.…”

Investigation of cytotoxic, genotoxic and oxidative properties of carvacrol in human blood cells

“…In the developed world, wide efforts are made to discover new therapeutic substances capable of reducing the genotoxicity of natural origin and man-made mutagens in human life. These include vitamins, fatty acids, lichen, and plant extracts (Geyikoglu et al, 2011(Geyikoglu et al, , 2012Turkez and Aydin, 2012;Turkez and Aydin, 2013;Turkez and Dirican, 2012;Turkez and Geyikoglu, 2011;Turkez and Togar, 2013;Turkez et al, 2010Turkez et al, , 2012aTurkez et al, , 2012bTurkez et al, , 2012cTurkez et al, , 2012dTurkez et al, , 2012e, 2012f, 2012g, 2013aTurkez et al, , 2013b. The monoterpenic phenol carvacrol (CVC; 1,5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) is present in the essential oils of many plants, especially in some species belonging to the Lamiaceae family including oregano, thyme, and savory (Nostro et al, 2012;Pérez-Alfonso et al, 2012).…”