Effect of annatto on micronuclei induction by direct and indirect mutagens in HepG2 cells.

Abstract

Annatto (AN), a natural food colorant rich in carotenoids, has been reported as being an effective antioxidant, but little is known about its potential chemopreventive properties. In this study, we evaluated the ability of AN to protect human hepatoma cells (HepG2) from micronucleus (MN) induction against three different mutagens: benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), doxorubicin (DXR), and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). In an attempt to clarify the possible mechanism of antimutagenicity of AN, three protocols of treatment were applied (pretreatment; simultaneous treatment, and post-treatment with AN following treatment with the mutagens). Also, cells exposed only to AN were assayed for cytotoxicity and mutagenicity. A dosage up to 10 microg/ml of AN was devoid of mutagenic activity. Protective effects were seen on micronuclei induced by B(a)P and DXR using pre and simultaneous treatment, but AN had no significant effect on MN induction by MMS in any of the protocols. Our results also show that exposure of cells to concentrations of AN higher than 10 microg/ml decreased cell viability. Taken together, our findings indicate that AN presents antimutagenic activity in vitro, but its protective effect is dependent on the mutagen and on type of treatment suggesting its potential use as a chemopreventive agent.

• Authors: Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron Barcelos, José Pedro Friedmann Angeli, Juliana Mara Serpeloni, Bruno Alves Rocha, Mário Sérgio Mantovani, Lusânia Maria Greggi Antunes
• Journal: Environmental and molecular mutagenesis (Environ Mol Mutagen) Vol. 50 Issue 9 Pg. 808-14 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1098-2280 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19402158 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Mutagens
• Plant Extracts
• Benzo(a)pyrene
• Carotenoids
• annatto
• Doxorubicin
• Methyl Methanesulfonate

Topics

• Benzo(a)pyrene (toxicity)
• Bixaceae (toxicity)
• Carotenoids (toxicity)
• Cell Line
• Doxorubicin (toxicity)
• Humans
• Methyl Methanesulfonate (toxicity)
• Micronucleus Tests
• Mutagens (toxicity)
• Plant Extracts (toxicity)