Assessment of genotoxic potential of profenofos and its amelioration with curcumin in bone marrow cells of swiss albino mice

The present study was designed to assess genotoxic effects of profenofos and its amelioration with curcumin in bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. A combined approach employing micronucleus test (MNT), chromosomal aberrations (CA) assay and comet assay was adopted. Group I, II, III, IV, V, VI were administered orally 2% gum acacia, 4.5 mg/kg of profenofos, 9 mg/kg of profenofos, 200 mg/kg of curcumin, 4.5 mg/kg of profenofos + 200 mg/kg of curcumin and 9 mg/kg of profenofos + 200 mg/kg of curcumin, respectively daily for 28 days. In MNT, there was a significant increase in micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and decrease in polychromatic/ normochromatic erythrocytes ratio in group III as compared to group I. In CAs, group III revealed a significant increase in total aberrant metaphases as compared to group I.Asignificant increase in comet parameters was observed in groups II and III as compared to group I. It was concluded that profenofos produced mild dosedependent cytotoxic and genotoxic effects in Swiss albino mice, so it is a weak mutagen at dose of 9 mg/kg administered daily orally for 28 days and curcumin (200 mg/kg, p.o.) has moderate ameliorative effect in profenofos induced genotoxicity.