Antimutagenic activity of anthocyanins isolated from Aronia melanocarpa fruits

Anthocyanins belong to the flavonoid family and are ubiquitous in plants, especially in flower petals and fruit peels. We established that anthocyanins isolated from fruits of Aronia melanocarpa markedly inhibited the mutagenic activity of benzo(a)pyrene and 2-amino fluorene in the Ames test. In the Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs) test with human blood-derived lymphocytes cultured in vitro, a significant decrease of SCEs frequency induced by benzo(a)pyrene was observed in the presence of anthocyanins. In the case of mitomycin C the effect of anthocyanins on SCEs frequency was smaller but still noticeable. Anthocyanins markedly inhibited the generation and release of superoxide radicals by human granulocytes. The results suggest that the antimutagenic influence of anthocyanins is exerted mainly by their free-radicals scavenging action as well as by the inhibition of enzymes activating promutagens and converting mutagens to the DNA-reacting derivatives. These preliminary data seem to be important in the aspect of a possible antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic potency of anthocyanins commonly present in fruits and vegetables.     

Fluorescence intensities of composite resins on photo images

Odontology - Recording fluorescence using flash photography, may help reduce time of capture and apply effectively in clinical practice. To test methods for visualizing composite resins...     

Evaluation of antimutagenic effect of todralazine in cultured lymphocytes

Todralazine, an antihypertensive drug from the hydrazinophthalazine group, significantly decreased the activities of benzo[a]pyrene and mitomycin C in three short-term genotoxicity tests in human lymphocyte cultures. The thioguanine resistance test, the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay and the sister chromatid exchange test were used to demonstrate the antimutagenicity of todralazine. Todralazine lowered the level of free radicals generated by human granulocytes in vitro in the presence of benzo[a] pyrene and also in the presence of the granulocyte activator and tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate. These results, together with our previous data obtained in the standard bacterial Ames test, strongly suggest that todralazine is a good antimutagen in vitro and deserves further research on its inhibitory action on mutagenesis and carcinogenesis.     

Antimutagenic activity of fluphenazine in short-term tests

Fluphenazine, an antipsychotic drug that belongs to the phenothiazine family, reduced the genotoxicity of direct- and indirect-acting mutagens in the Ames test, both in the presence and in the absence of promutagen-activating S9 fraction. In short-term tests on human lymphocytes, the inhibitory effect of fluphenazine on the genotoxicity of standard mutagens was strongest in the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay and in the thioguanine resistance test, and weakest in the sister chromatid exchange test. Fluphenazine also considerably reduced the level of free radicals estimated in in vitro samples of human granulocytes. The results suggest that, in the range of the tested concentrations, fluphenazine could be considered for use to prevent the genotoxicity of daunorubicin, methyl methanesulfonate, benzo[a]pyrene, and mitomycin C. Reduction in the level of free radicals appears to be an important mechanism of the antimutagenic action of fluphenazine.