In vitro testing for genotoxicity of indigo naturalis assessed by micronucleus test.

In the field of cosmetic dyes, used for coloring the hair and skin, there is a clear tendency to replace the widely used synthetic dyes by natural colorants, such as henna and mixtures of henna with indigo. The aim of this study was to estimate the genotoxicity of water and DMSO solutions of indigo naturalis (prepared from Indigofera tinctoria leaves) using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay in the human metabolically active HepG2 cell line. The cytotoxic effects of indigo solutions were first assessed by propidium iodide and fluorescein-diacetate simultaneous staining. For both solutions, cytotoxicity was always under 10%. Data obtained in the CBMN assay (for all concentrations tested) indicated that the frequency of MN (micronuclei) in exposed cells was no higher than the control. Both the water and DMSO solutions showed the same behavior. These results indicate that indigo naturalis exhibits neither cytotoxicity, nor genotoxicity for all concentrations tested, which may justify excluding indigofera and its components from the list of carcinogenic agents

Biological effect monitoring in peripheral blood lymphocytes from subjects occupationally exposed to antineoplastic drugs: assessment of micronuclei frequency.

Biological Effect Monitoring in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes from Subjects Occupationally Exposed to Antineoplastic Drugs: Assessment of Micronuclei Frequency: Milena VILLARINI, et al. Department of Medical‐Surgical Specialties and Public Health (Section of Public Health), University of Perugia, Italy—ObjectivesAntineoplastic drugs (ANPDs) are widely used in the treatment of cancer and some nonneoplastic diseases. However, most if not all of these chemical agents are generally nonselective and, along with tumor cells, normal cells may undergo cytotoxic/genotoxic damage. Italian pharmacists and nurses occupationally exposed to ANPDs during their normal work routines were monitored to evaluate biological effects (i.e., cytogenetic damage) eventually associated with exposure. The subjects were also monitored for primary, oxidative and excision repaired DNA damage as evaluated by comet assay (published data). In the present paper, we present the results obtained with the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus (CBMN) test.MethodsThe CBMN test in peripheral blood lymphocytes was applied because of its ability to detect both clastogenic and aneugenic effects, and because it has recently been reported that micronuclei (MNs) are predictive of cancer risk in human populations. In this study, the evaluation of MN frequency was carried out using the CBMN test in the absence or in the presence of the DNA repair inhibitor Ara‐C (cytosine arabinoside).ResultsNo significant difference was observed for MN frequency comparing nurses handling ANPDs (exposed subjects) and controls; no correlations were found between job seniority, age, smoking habits and MN rates.ConclusionsConcerning the aim of this study to evaluate the genotoxic risk arising from occupational exposure to ANPDs, statistically significant differences in MN rates in the subjects under study could not be determined

Television marketing of food and beverage targeted to children, Italy

Abstract Aim According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 40 million children aged < 5 and 131 million of children aged 5-9 are overweight or obese. Growing evidence is focusing on the association between number of hours spent watching television (TV) and children's food behaviour. Our aim was to assess the amount of TV food marketing targeted to Italian children, and to qualitatively analyse the ads. Methods The 5 most viewed TV channels were selected and recorded for 20 days (non-consecutive, both week and week-end days) and analysed through the WHO's tool to asses food -beverage multimedia marketing targeted to children. The analysed exposure variables were: type of product, viewing time, channel's target and broadcasting company (for all types of ads), duration of each food ad, type of programme, and target of the advertised product (only for food and beverage). Power of persuasion variables were assessed only for food marketing. Lastly, for each food product showed, the food category and if it was a core vs non-core product was assessed. Differences between groups were assessed using the chi-square test and t-test. Results During 320 hours of broadcasting TV, a total of 9,069 ads were identified, (51.7 hours). Food products were the second most frequently advertised (19.4%). On average, 5.4 food ads were displayed during non-peak viewing time/hour (6 during peak). The time slot of 3 pm had the highest rate of food ads (23.8%). Channels targeted to the general public had a higher rate of food ads compared to channels targeted to children (p = 0.000). Private channels transmitted a higher number of food ads compared to public channels (p = 0.000). Humour was the most frequently persuasive technique used in food ads and in ads targeted to whole population (14.3%). Conclusions Children usually watch TV programs that have a high rate of food ads, mainly promoting unhealthy products with captivating techniques. Legislators should advocate for a healthier food marketing. Key messages Children are exposed to a high amount of TV food commercials daily. Food marketing should be strictly regulated in accordance with the WHO Nutrient Profile model

Genotoxicity of source, treated and distributed water from four drinking water treatment plants supplied by surface water in Sardinia, Italy

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A novel black poplar propolis extract with promising health-promoting properties: focus on its chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-genotoxic activities

Propolis is a resinous mixture produced by honeybees which has been used since ancient times for its useful properties. However, its chemical composition and bioactivity may vary, depending on the geographical area of origin and the type of tree bees use for collecting pollen. In this context, this research aimed to investigate the total phenolic content (using the Folin-Ciocalteu assay) and the total antioxidant capacity (using the FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS assays) of three black poplar (Populus nigra L.) propolis (BPP) solutions (S1, S2, and S3), as well as the chemical composition (HPLC-ESI-MSn) and biological activities (effect on cell viability, genotoxic/antigenotoxic properties, and anti-inflammatory activity, and effect on ROS production) of the one which showed the highest antioxidant activity (S1). The hydroalcoholic BPP solution S1 was a prototype of an innovative, research-type product by an Italian nutraceutical manufacturer. In contrast, hydroalcoholic BPP solutions S2 and S3 were conventional products purchased from local pharmacy stores. For the three extracts, 50 phenolic compounds, encompassing phenolic acids and flavonoids, were identified. In summary, the results showed an interesting chemical profile and the remarkable antioxidant, antigenotoxic, anti-inflammatory and ROS-modulating activities of the innovative BPP extract S1, paving the way for future research. In vivo investigations will be a possible line to take, which may help corroborate the hypothesis of the potential health benefits of this product, and even stimulate further ameliorations of the new prototype.Propolis is a resinous mixture produced by honeybees which has been used since ancient times for its useful properties

In vitro testing of estragole in HepG2 cells: Cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay and cell-cycle analysis

The alkenylbenzene estragole (systematic name, 1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) is a natural component of essential oils from various spices and herbs, including fennel, and it is used as a food and beverage flavouring agent. Estragole has been reported to be hepatocarcinogenic at high doses in rodents. However, in a previous in vitro study, we found that estragole did not exhibit cytotoxic effects after 4 hours of exposure, nor did it induce DNA damage or apoptosis in human HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells. As fennel tea is widely used for symptomatic treatment of spasmodic gastrointestinal conditions in infants, we aimed at further assessing its safety in a different experimental setting. We thus searched for possible cytogenetic effects and interference with cell-cycle progression in the same human hepatoblastoma cell line. Estragole did not show any clastogenic/aneugenic activities in the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay, and no effects on cell-cycle checkpoints were observed