Protective effects of chlorogenic acid, curcumin and beta-carotene against gamma-radiation-induced in vivo chromosomal damage

Abstract

The mouse bone marrow micronucleus test was carried out to evaluate the possible role of the dietary constituents chlorogenic acid (CGA), curcumin (CR) and beta-carotene (BC) in modulating the in vivo chromosomal damage induced by gamma-radiation. The results obtained suggest that oral administration of CGA (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.), CR (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg b.w.) and BC (0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg b.w.) to mice can significantly reduce the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (Mn PCEs) induced by whole body exposure to gamma-radiation (1.15 Gy; 0.05 Gy/s). With CGA and CR, this effect was observed after a single administration either 2 h before or immediately after irradiation. However, with BC a 7-day feeding before irradiation was necessary to obtain a significant reduction in the incidence of Mn PCEs. The protective effects of CGA, CR and BC were observed in bone marrow cells sampled 24, 30 and 48 h after exposure to radiation.