Boric Acid Prevents MMC- and H₂O₂-Related DNA Damage: Evidence from Cytogenetic and Comet Assays

Abstract

Boron compounds, such as boric acid(BA-H₃BO₃), have been utilized as potential candidates for modulating various biological functions owing to their specific characteristics, such as low toxicity, interaction with biomolecules, and possible roles as antigenotoxic and anticancer agents. On the other hand, mitomycin-C(MMC), a chemotherapeutic drug used for several cancers, may induce genetic damage in the healthy cells of cancer patients. Therefore, this study evaluated whether BA (0.25-2.5 µg/mL) generates protective potential against MMC-induced DNA and chromosome damage. After human lymphocytes were exposed to MMC and BA alone and in combination (BA + MMC), genotoxic and/or mitigating effects were evaluated using chromosomal aberration (CAs), sister chromatid exchange (SCE) (24 and 48 h), and cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (48 h) tests. The ameliorative potential of BA against hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂)-induced DNA damage was also assessed using a comet assay (1 h). MMC significantly increased (p < 0.05) the frequency of abnormal cells, CA/cell, SCE/cell, micronucleus, and nuclear buds and decreased (p < 0.05) the mitotic index compared to the control. However, BA alone did not induce any significant alterations in the incidence of these aberrations. In addition, all the combined treatments of BA + MMC significantly ameliorated (p < 0.05) all of these indices against MMC. In the comet assay, BA significantly diminished (p < 0.05) the tail intensity (%DNA) against H₂O₂. These results revealed that BA does not induce significant genotoxic effects. Moreover, it may exert chemopreventive potential against MMC- and H₂O₂-induced genetic damage. These findings suggest that boric acid is safe and effective at low concentrations in food, medicine, and healthcare applications.

Keywords: Antigenotoxic effect; Boric acid; Chromosomal aberration test; Comet test; Cytokinesis block micronucleus cytome test; Human lymphocytes; Sister chromatid exchange test.