Protective effects of vitamin E against atrazine-induced genotoxicity in rats.

Atrazine (2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine) is one of the most commonly used herbicides to control grasses and weeds. The widespread contamination and persistence of atrazine residues in the environment has resulted in human exposure. Vitamin E is a primary antioxidant that plays an important role in protecting cells against toxicity by inactivating free radicals generated following pesticides exposure. The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of vitamin E against atrazine-induced genotoxicity. Three different methods: gel electrophoresis, comet assay and micronucleus test were used to assess the atrazine-induced genotoxicity and to evaluate the protective effects of vitamin E. Atrazine was administered to male rats at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight for a period of 7, 14 and 21 days. There was a significant increase (P<0.001) in tail length of comets from blood and liver cells treated with atrazine as compared to controls. Co-administration of vitamin E (100 mg/kg body weight) along with atrazine resulted in decrease in tail length of comets as compared to the group treated with atrazine alone. Micronucleus assay revealed a significant increase (P<0.001) in the frequency of micronucleated cells (MNCs) following atrazine administration. In the animals administrated vitamin E along with atrazine there was a significant decrease in percentage of micronuclei as compared to atrazine treated rats. The increase in frequency of micronuclei in liver cells and tail length of comets confirm genotoxicity induced by atrazine in blood and liver cells. In addition, the findings clearly demonstrate protective effect of vitamin E in attenuating atrazine-induced DNA damage.

In vivo interactive effect of garlic oil and vitamin E against stavudine induced genotoxicity in Mus musculus.

Stavudine (Zerit, d4T) is widely used as an anti HIV infection drug. It prevents HIV by altering the genetic material of healthy cells but causes mutations in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. It also produces clastogenic effects in mice. In the present investigation, comet assay test was applied to evaluate the possible genomic damage caused by stavudine and also the ameliorating effects of garlic oil and vitamin E against its genotoxicity in different organs of mice. Two different doses of garlic oil (low and high dose) and vitamin E were administered to mice separately and in combination for six consecutive days followed by a dose of stavudine. The mice were sacrificed after 24, 48 and 72 h of stavudine administration. Both the antioxidants (vitamin E and garlic oil) separately and in combination reduced the genotoxicity of stavudine. The protective effects of high doses of garlic oil were more pronounced as compared to vitamin E administered group.