Protective effect of Cassia occidentalis extract on chemical-induced chromosomal aberrations in mice

This study was conducted to determine the antimutagenic potential of aqueou s extract of Cassia occidentalis against the chromosomal aberrations (CA) p roduced in vivo by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and cyclophosphamide (CP) in mice . Animals (male mice) were treated with three doses of plant extract (50mg/ kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg) for 7 days prior to the administration of single dose of mutagens (B[a]P 125mg/kg oral; CP 40mg/kg i.p). The results indica ted that C. occidentalis was not genotoxic per se and exerted no other toxi c signs and symptoms in treated animals. The. chromosomal aberrations-produ ced by B[a]P and CP were significantly reduced (p<0.001) by C. occidentalis pre-treatment. Furthermore, animals treated with plant extract showed a re duced. level of cytochrome: P 450 (Cyt P 450) and elevated levels of glutat hione S-transferase (GST) activity and glutathione content in the liver. It seems that C. occidentalis exerts its antimutagenic activity by,modulating the xenobiotic activation and detoxification mechanisms.