Evaluation of Genotoxic Potential of Profenofos and its Amelioration with Curcumin in Germ Cells of Swiss Albino Mice

The present study was designed to assess genotoxic effects of profenofos and its amelioration with curcumin in germ cells of Swiss albino mice. A combined approach employing sperm head abnormality (SHA) and histopathology of testes, was adopted. This study was carried out in six groups and each group was comprised of six mice. Group I, II, III, IV, V and VI were administered orally 2% gum acacia, 4.5 mg/kg b.wt. of profenofos, 9 mg/kg b.wt. of profenofos, 200 mg/kg b.wt. 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 SHA, a significant dose dependent increase in frequency of SHA was observed in group III as compared to group I. Curcumin showed ameliorative effect by causing reduction in SHA frequency and there were 48.35% and 64.87% reduction in SHA in groups V and VI, respectively. In histopathological findings, profenofos produced degenerative changes in testes in a dose dependent manner. Curcumin showed ameliorative effect markedly by causing restoration of degenerative changes in testes produced by profenofos. On the basis of above results, it was concluded that profenofos produced mild dose-dependent genotoxic effects in germ cells of Swiss albino mice, so it is a weak mutagen at a dose of 9 mg/kg b.wt. administered daily orally for 28 days and curcumin (200 mg/kg b.wt., p.o.) has moderate ameliorative effect in profenofos-induced genotoxicity.