Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of Sunset Yellow and Brilliant Blue, colorant food additives, on human blood lymphocytes.

The synthetic dyes over fifty are used in many areas including the food industry around the world. Sunset Yellow FCF and Brilliant Blue FCF are used as colorant food additives in many food products. The present study investigated the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of Sunset Yellow and Brilliant Blue. Genotoxic and cytotoxic activities of the food additives were evaluated in lymphocyte cell cultures using mitotic index, replication index and micronucleus assay. Mitotic index frequencies and replication index values were decreased and micronucleus frequency was increased with increasing concentrations of Sunset Yellow and Brilliant Blue. The changes in mitotic index and micronucleus are statistically significant (p<0.05). The results show that the Sunset Yellow and Brilliant Blue can have cytotoxic and genotoxic potential. It care must be taken when using these materials as a food additive.

In vitro cytotoxic potential of newly synthesized furo[3,2-c]pyran-4-one derivatives in cultured human lymphocytes.

The in vitro cytotoxic potentials of Furo[3,2-c]pyran-4-one derivatives in human lymphocytes were investigated. Blood samples were obtained from six healthy donors, non-smoking volunteers, which were incubated and exposed to increasing concentrations (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/mL) of Furo[3,2-c]pyran-4-one derivatives which are methyl 2-methoxy-7-(4-methylbenzoyl)-6-(4-methylphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-furo[3,2-c]pyran-3-carboxylate (1a) and methyl 2-methoxy-7-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-furo[3,2-c]pyran-3-carboxylate (1b). Compounds 1a and 1b induced micronucleus, mitotic and replication indexes in human lymphocytes (1 and 2 mg/mL). The increases of micronucleus, mitotic and replication indexes show that compounds at high concentrations may become cytotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic.

Cytogenetic effects of nine Helichrysum taxa in human lymphocytes culture.

Helichrysum Mill. (Asteraceae) species have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years in the world. The in vitro cytogenetic effects in human lymphocytes of nine Helichrysum taxa used in Turkey folk medicine were investigated. Blood samples were obtained from healthy donors, non-smoking volunteers, which were incubated and exposed to increasing concentrations of methanol extracts of Helichrysum taxa (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL). The inhibitory effects of H. stoechas (L.) Moench subsp. barrelieri (Ten.) Nyman, H. armenium DC. subsp. armenium, H. armenium DC. subsp. araxinum (Kirp.) Takht., H. plicatum DC. subsp. plicatum, H. compactum Boiss. and H. artvinense P.H.Davis & Kupicha on the mitotic index and replication index indicate that these taxa can have genotoxic and mutagenic effects. They should therefore not be used freely in alternative medicine although their antiproliferative activity may suggest anticarcinogenic properties. Increase effects of H. stoechas subsp. barrelieri, H. armenium subsp. armenium, H. armenium subsp. araxinum, H. chasmolycicum P.H.Davis, H. plicatum subsp. plicatum, H. compactum and H. artvinense on the micronucleus rates showed that these taxa can have genotoxic and carcinogenic effects.