Role of Peltigera rufescens (Weis) Humb. (a lichen) on imazalil-induced genotoxicity: analysis of micronucleus and chromosome aberrations in vitro

Abstract

Imazalil (IMA), a commonly used fungicide in both agricultural and clinical domains, is suspected to produce very serious toxic effects on vertebrates. On the other hand, in recent years, a number of studies have suggested that lichens might be 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. In this context, the anti-genotoxic effects of aqueous Peltigera rufescens (Weis) Humb. extracts (PREs) were studied against the genotoxic damage induced by IMA on cultured human lymphocytes using chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and micronucleus (MN) as cytogenetic parameters. Human peripheral lymphocytes were treated in vitro with varying concentrations of PREs (0, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/L), tested in combination with IMA (336 mg/L). PREs alone were not genotoxic and when combined with IMA treatment, reduced the frequency of CAs and the rates of MNs. A clear dose-dependent decrease in the genotoxic damage of IMA was observed, suggesting a genoprotective role of P. rufescens extract. The results of the present study indicate that this plant extract per se do not have genotoxic potential but can minimize the genotoxicity of IMA on human lymphocytes in vitro. In conclusion our findings may have an important application for the protection of human lymphocyte from the genetic damage and side effects induced by agricultural and medical chemicals hazardous in 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.…”

Xanthoria elegans (Link) (lichen) extract counteracts DNA damage and oxidative stress of mitomycin C in human lymphocytes

“…Their biological activities and chemical compositions have long been investigated for anti-microbial (Candan et al 2007), anti-viral (Fazio et al 2007), anti-tumor (Rezanka and Dembitsky 2006), anti-proliferative (Ren et al 2009), anti-inflammatory (Silva et al 2010;Süleyman et al 2003), anti-mutagenic (Geyikoglu et al 2007;Turkez and Dirican 2012) and anti-oxidant (Kohlhardt-Floehr et al 2010;Aydin and Turkez 2011a, b;Turkez et al 2012a) properties till today. On the other hand, lichens were used as raw materials in paint and cosmetic industry, as environmental indicators, as food and as medicine for various purposes (Cocchietto et al 2002;Dilsizoglu et al 2004;Yazıcı and Aslan 2006;Svoboda 2007).…”

The biochemical and histological effects of lichens in normal and diabetic rats

“…This opens up an important strategy for therapy of diabetes and may provide a promising avenue for future approaches to lichens. The lichens have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antigenotoxic, and anticancer properties (Geyikoglu et al, 2007;Halici et al, 2005;Kosanić and Ranković, 2011;Odabasoglu et al, 2006;Turkez and Dirican, 2012;Turkez et al, 2010Turkez et al, , 2012aTurkez et al, , 2012b. We documented that they are effective in the treatment of tuberculosis, hemorrhoids, and dysentery (Dülger et al, 1998) and also induce apoptosis in colon (Bezivin et al, 2003;Ren et al, 2009) and prostate cancers (Mitrović et al, 2011;Russo et al, 2006).…”