Protection Afforded by Crude Spinach-Beet Leaf Extract and Equivalent Amounts of Chlorophyll and Chlorophyllin Against Clastogenic Effects of Potassium Dichromate in Mice In Vivo

Abstract

The comparative efficacy of crude extract of spinach-beet leaves (Beta vulgaris var. benghalensis Hort. Chenopodiaceae) and equivalent amounts of chlorophyll and chlorophyllin in reducing clastogenic activity of a hexavalent chromium compound, potassium dichromate (K 2 Cr 2 O 7), was tested in mouse bone marrow cells in vivo. The endpoints monitored were chromosomal aberrations (CA). Mice were fed the crude leaf extract by gavage for 7 consecutive days and then treated with the metallic salt on day 7. In separate sets, chlorophyll extracted from the spinach-beet leaves and a synthetic compound chlorophyllin were administered simultaneously with, before, or after exposure to the chromium compound. Chromosomes were studied from bone marrow cells 24 h after the treatment. Crude leaf extract and chlorophyllin did not induce chromosomal aberrations when given alone. Priming with the crude extract reduced the clastogenic effects of potassium dichromate to the control level. Similar protection was afforded by chlorophyllin when given simultaneously. Chlorophyll, on the other hand, induced significantly higher number of chromosomal aberrations when given alone as compared to distilled water and did not reduce the clastogenic activity of the metal when administered in combination.

Key Words:

• Anticlastogenic effects
• leaf extract
• chlorophyll
• chlorophyllin