Evaluation of genoprotection against malathion induced toxicity by Orthosiphon thymiflorus Sleesen.

BACKGROUND: Pesticide toxicity is considered to be one of the significant reason for increased incidence of cancer. Plants are treasure troves of active phytochemical compounds which are used as herbal medicine as well as nutraceuticals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the genoprotective potential of Orthosiphon thymiflorus (Roth) Sleesen, (Lamiaceae) against the toxicity induced by malathion by a battery of four in vivo assays in Swiss albino mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Micronucleus assay was performed for analyzing the micronuclei induction and ratio of polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes (PCE/NCE). Anticlastogenic and mito depressive effect of the methanol and hexane extracts of O.thymiflorus were evaluated by chromosome aberration assay. Alkali comet assay was performed to assess double strand DNA repair. DNA damage sensing ability of the bone marrow cells were assessed by γ-H2AX foci formation. Phytochemical screening of hexane and methanol extract was done by GC-MS analysis. RESULT: O. thymiflorus extracts showed a dose dependant protective effect in all assays. It significantly decreased the frequency of micronuclei and improved PCE/NCE value in post treated groups of animals. Malathion induced clastogenic aberrations were effectively attenuated by methanol and hexane extracts. DNA comet assay showed that malathion induced damage can be protected by O. thymiflorus extracts. Multiple foci formation in γ-H2AX assay confirmed the activation of DNA repair proteins in post treated animals. CONCLUSION: Genoprotective effect of O. thymiflorus against malathion induced toxicity was confirmed. This study would be helpful to initiate more research including clinical using O. thymiflorus extract against pesticide induced toxicity.

Larvicidal efficacy and chemical constituents of O. gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) essential oil against Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae).

The current study accentuates the use of botanicals as an alternative to the chemical compounds in vector control by estimating the mosquito larvicidal potential of Ocimum gratissimum L. leaf essential oil against the fourth instar larvae of Aedes albopictus Skuse (Diptera: Culicidae). The chemical composition of essential oil from leaves was evaluated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. GC/MS revealed that the essential oil of O. gratissimum contained 51 compounds. The major chemical constituents identified were 3-allyl-6-methoxyphenol (19.30%), 4-(5-ethenyl-1-azabicyclo (2, 2, 2) octan-2) (16.82%), 1-(2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-propanol (12.23%) and 1-(1-hydroxybutyl)-2, 5-dimethoxybenzene (5.53%). The essential oil showed pertinent larvicidal effect, and the LC50 value in 24 h was 26.10 ppm (LC90 = 82.83 ppm). Aromatic plants and their essential oils are very important sources of many compounds that are used for different applications, and they are more promising pesticides or insecticides for control of mosquito populations than synthetic ones. The results of the present investigation justify the larvicidal potential of leaf essential oil of O. gratissimum as a safer and more effective larvicide against A. albopictus.

Genotoxic assessment of calcium hypochlorite and Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds-two commonly used water purifying agents.

The role of water in our daily lives cannot be highlighted enough, and ensuring the availability of pure water is an urgent need. Bleaching powder (calcium hypochlorite) and Strychnos potatorum Linn. seeds are commonly used in water purification as a disinfectant and anticoagulant, respectively, yet their safety levels have not been analyzed so far. Hence, a genotoxic assessment was conducted using Allium cepa chromosome aberration assay. Reduction in mitotic index and increase in abnormality percentage was observed for both, but this effect was dose dependent. All values were statistically significant at p<0.05%. Bleaching powder was found to be cytotoxic and genotoxic compared with the control. Abnormality percentage was found to be significantly high when compared with the positive control. Chromosome aberrations like binucleate condition, micronuclei formation, stickiness, and lesions could only be observed in root meristems treated with positive control and bleaching powder. The seeds of S. potatorum expressed mild cytotoxicity, but the genotoxic effect was found to be negligible when compared with positive control. Other chromosome aberrations observed included chromosome bridges, c-metaphases, chromosome laggards, shift in microtubule organizing centre, polyploidy, early movement of chromosomes, vagrant chromosomes, as well as diagonal, disturbed, and scattered arrangement of chromosomes. Thus, the genotoxic effect of bleaching powder warns people to use a safer choice of S. potatorum in water purification, whenever possible, as in the condition of muddy, coagulated water.