Protective effects of lupeol against benzo[a]pyrene induced clastogenicity in mouse bone marrow cells.

Fruits and vegetables contain a variety of ingredients that exhibit chemopreventive effects against an array of xenobiotics. In the present study, the antigenotoxic potential of lupeol, a triterpene, and mango pulp extract (MPE) was evaluated in Swiss albino mice. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a well-known mutagen, was given at a single dose of 100 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. Pretreatment with lupeol (1 mg/animal) and MPE (1 mL, 20%) was given through oral intubation for 7 days prior to B[a]P administration. Animals from all the groups were killed at sampling time of 24 h and their bone marrow tissue was analyzed for chromosomal damage and micronuclei induction. In B[a]P-treated animals a significant induction of chromosomal aberration and micronuclei was recorded, with a decrease in mitotic index. In lupeol- or MPE-supplemented groups, a significant decrease in B[a]P-induced clastogenicity was recorded. The incidence of aberrant cells and micronuclei was found to be reduced by both lupeol and MPE when compared to the B[a]P-treated group. The anti-cytotoxic effects of lupeol or MPE were also evident, as observed by significant increase in mitotic index. Thus, results of the present investigation revealed that lupeol and MPE have protective effects against B[a]P-induced clastogenic changes in Swiss albino mice.