Modulatory Effects of Total Extract of Haberlea Rhodopensis against the Cyclophosphamide Induced Genotoxicity in Rabbit Lymphocytes in Vivo

The Balkan region endemite Haberlea rhodopensis is a world record-holder in desiccation tolerance. Regarding the variable biological activities of Haberlea rhodopensis, it is important to study its antimutagenic activity in somatic cells in vivo. New Zealand white rabbits were intramuscular (i.m.) administered with total extract of HR at a dose of 100 mg/kg b. wt. for two consecutive days then treated with cyclophosphamide (i.m) at a dose of 50mg/kg b. wt. Twenty-four hours thereafter blood was taken from all animals and samples were prepared from peripheral lymphocytes for chromosomal aberrations (CA) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs). Ehtract of Haberlea Rhodopensis inhibited the frequency of SCEs induced by Cyclophosphamide (CP) in peripheral lymphocytes. This inhibition reached to 43.84% (HR-100 mg /kg b.wt.). The number of chromosomal aberrations induced by CP in rabbits peripheral lymphocytes decreased significantly (p<0.001) . The percentage of inhibition of chromosomal aberrations was 42,85 %. The activities of SOD and the contents of MDA were also tested by the colormetric methods. The results showed that CP at a dose of 50 mg/kg, i.m. signifycantly inhibited the activities of SOD and increased MDA contents in rabbits blood. On the other hand, HR antagonized the reduction of the activities of SOD and GPx, and the increase in MDA contents. In conclusion, the results of this in vivo study show that HR has antimutagenic potential against carcinogen CP.