Protecting effect of caffeine against vinblastine (an anticancer drug) induced genotoxicity in mice

Vinblastine a DNA non-intercalating agent has wide application against several human neoplasms, and found to cause cytogenotoxicity. In this study, clastogenotoxicity of vinblastine (1.5?mg/kg b w) and its prevention by caffeine at different doses (25, 50 and 100?mg/kg b w) administered intraperitoneally was assessed in in vivo mice. It was found that micronucleus level had decreased significantly (up to 28.8%) in 100?mg caffeine treated group at 30?h post treatment. However, it did not exhibit protective effect against chromosomal aberration in spaermatogonial cells at 24?h post treatment. The frequencies of aberrant primary spermatocytes had decreased significantly in 25 and 100?mg caffeine at 4th week of post treatment. Similarly, in 100?mg of caffeine administered, abnormal sperm level had reduced (4.01%) significantly at 8th week post treatment. Thus, caffeine decreased the vinblastine induced chromosomal aberrations and mitotic index in bone marrow cells. In conclusion, this study shows that caffeine exerts protective effect against vinblastin induced cytogenotoxicity. Further studies on molecular mechanism are interesting in order to develop it as an effective drug in cancer chemotherapy.