Studies on the Anticlastogenic Effect of Terminalia chebula Extract on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Micronucleus Formation and Chromosome Aberrations in Swiss albino Mice

The present investigation was undertaken to explore the Antimutagenicity activity of Terminalia chebula on micronucleus formation and chromosomal aberration assay in bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice. The protective effect of Terminalia chebula extract is reported against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced micronuclei formation and chromosomal aberration in mouse bone marrow cells. The doses namely 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight of Terminalia chebula extract provided protection when given 24 hr prior to the single i. p. administration of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg body weight). A dose dependent inhibition of micronuclei formation and chromosomal aberration was observed which was statistically significant (p<0.05) as compared to the cyclophosphamide group. It was observed that Terminalia chebula extract alone could not induced micronuclei formation and chromosomal aberrations at the test dose 50 mg/kg body weight. Thus in mutagenicity assay, Terminalia chebula extract protective potential against cyclophosphamide induced micronuclei formation and chromosomal aberration in mouse bone marrow cells.