Evaluation of genoprotection against malathion induced toxicity by Orthosiphon thymiflorus Sleesen

BACKGROUND: Pesticide toxicity is considered to be one of the significant reason for increased incidence of cancer. Plants are treasure troves of active phytochemical compounds which are used as herbal medicine as well as nutraceuticals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the genoprotective potential of Orthosiphon thymiflorus (Roth) Sleesen, (Lamiaceae) against the toxicity induced by malathion by a battery of four in vivo assays in Swiss albino mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Micronucleus assay was performed for analyzing the micronuclei induction and ratio of polychromatic and normochromatic erythrocytes (PCE/NCE). Anticlastogenic and mito depressive effect of the methanol and hexane extracts of O.thymiflorus were evaluated by chromosome aberration assay. Alkali comet assay was performed to assess double strand DNA repair. DNA damage sensing ability of the bone marrow cells were assessed by γ-H2AX foci formation. Phytochemical screening of hexane and methanol extract was done by GC–MS analysis. RESULT: O. thymiflorus extracts showed a dose dependant protective effect in all assays. It significantly decreased the frequency of micronuclei and improved PCE/NCE value in post treated groups of animals. Malathion induced clastogenic aberrations were effectively attenuated by methanol and hexane extracts. DNA comet assay showed that malathion induced damage can be protected by O. thymiflorus extracts. Multiple foci formation in γ-H2AX assay confirmed the activation of DNA repair proteins in post treated animals. CONCLUSION: Genoprotective effect of O. thymiflorus against malathion induced toxicity was confirmed. This study would be helpful to initiate more research including clinical using O. thymiflorus extract against pesticide induced toxicity.