Tannins from barks of Pinus caribaea protect Escherichia coli cells against DNA damage induced by gamma-rays.

• Abstract: This work was aimed to evaluate genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity activity against gamma-rays of a tannin fraction obtained from barks of Pinus caribaea, as well as to elucidate the antigenotoxic mechanisms involved in radioprotection by using different approaches as pre-, co- and post-irradiation cell treatments with plant extract. The tannin fraction was not genotoxic to Escherichia coli cells in experiments using different exposure times. This extract was antigenotoxic against gamma-rays when the cells were pre- or co-treated with this extracts, but not during post-irradiation treatments, suggesting a possibly antigenotoxic action through free radical scavenging mechanisms. The results are discussed in relation to the chemopreventive and therapeutic potential of the studied plant species.
• Authors: J L Fuentes, M Vernhe, E B Cuetara, A Sánchez-Lamar, J L Santana, M Llagostera (Affiliation: Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnológicas y Desarrollo Nuclear (CEADEN), Miramar, Playa, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba. jlfuentes2005 at yahoo.es)
• Journal: Fitoterapia (Fitoterapia) Vol. 77 Issue 2 Pg. 116-20 (Feb 2006) ISSN: 0367-326X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 16439067 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA, Bacterial
• Plant Extracts
• Radiation-Protective Agents
• Tannins

Topics

• DNA Damage (drug effects)
• DNA, Bacterial (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Escherichia coli (drug effects, genetics, radiation effects)
• Gamma Rays
• Mutagenicity Tests (methods)
• Pinus (chemistry)
• Plant Bark (chemistry)
• Plant Extracts (isolation & purification, pharmacology, toxicity)
• Radiation-Protective Agents (isolation & purification, pharmacology, toxicity)
• Tannins (chemistry, isolation & purification, pharmacology, toxicity)