MODIFICATION OF MITOMYCIN C-INDUCED CLASTOGENICITY BY TERMINALIA-CATAPPA L IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO

The water extract of the leaves of Terminalia catappa L. was tested fo r inhibition of mitomycin C-induced micronuclei in CHO-K1 cells. The s imultaneous and pre-treatment of CHO-K1 cells with T. catappa extract (75 and 150 mu g/ml) significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed mitomycin C-i nduced micronuclei. Furthermore, gastric intubation of T. catappa extr act (4.8 and 24 mg/animal per day) to male ICR mice for 8 days signifi cantly (P < 0.01) reduced mitomycin C-induced micronuclei in periphera l blood. In addition, T. catappa dose dependently inhibited lipid pero xidation in vitro and TPA-induced hydrogen peroxide formation in human mononuclear leukocytes. The anticlastogenic effects of T. catappa in vitro and in vivo may be attributed to its antioxidative potential.