Absence of genotoxic effects of the coumarin derivative 4‐methylesculetin in vivo and its potential chemoprevention against doxorubicin‐induced DNA damage. Issue 1 (10th October 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fedato, Rafael Palhano; Maistro, Edson Luis
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied toxicology. Volume 34:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 33
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2012-10-10
• Subjects: 4‐methylesculetin -- coumarin derivative -- antigenotoxic effects -- micronucleus test -- comet assay; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Industrial toxicology -- Periodicals; Environmentally induced diseases -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 615.9005
• DOI: 10.1002/jat.2823
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0260-437X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 4‐Methylesculetin (4‐ME) is a synthetic derivative of coumarin that displays a potent reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger and metal chelating agent and therefore has been produced to help reduce the risk of human disease. The main objective of this study was to investigate the in vivo genotoxicity of 4‐ME and initially to verify its potential antigenotoxicity on doxorubicin (DXR)‐induced DNA damage. Different doses of 4‐ME (500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg –1 body weight) were administered by gavage only or with a simultaneous intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of DXR (80 mg kg –1 ). The following endpoints were analyzed: DNA damage in peripheral blood, liver, bone marrow, brain and testicle cells according to an alkaline (pH > 13) comet assay and micronucleus induction in bone marrow cells. Cytotoxicity was assessed by scoring polychromatic (PCE) and normochromatic (NCE) erythrocytes (PCE/NCE ratio). No differences were observed between the negative control and the groups treated with a 4‐ME dose for any of the endpoints analyzed, indicating that it lacks genotoxic and cytotoxic effects. Moreover, 4‐ME demonstrated protective effects against DXR‐induced DNA damage at all tested doses and in all analyzed cell types, which ranged from 34.1% to 93.3% in the comet assay and 54.4% to 65.9% in the micronucleus test. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abstract : 4‐Methylesculetin (4‐ME) is a potent synthetic antioxidant compound. This study investigated the in vivo genotoxicity of 4‐ME and its potential antigenotoxicity against doxorubicin (DX) DNA damage. Doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg –1 were tested only or with a simultaneous injection of DX. A comet assay in different cells of mice and the micronucleus test were the endpoints analyzed. No differences were observed between the control and treated groups, indicating that it lacks genotoxic and cytotoxic effects. Moreover, 4‐ME demonstrated protective effects against DX.