Genotoxic and anti-genotoxic effects of vanillic acid against mitomycin C-induced genomic damage in human lymphocytes in vitro.

Vanillic acid, a vegetable phenolic compound, is a strong antioxidant. The aim of the present study was to determine its effects on mitomycin C-induced DNA damage in human blood lymphocyte cultures in vitro, both alone and in combination with mitomycin C (MMC). The cytokinesis block micronucleus test and alkaline comet assay were used to determine genotoxic damage and anti-genotoxic effects of vanillic acid at the DNA and chromosome levels. MMC induced genotoxicity at a dose of 0.25 μg/ml. Vanillic acid (1 μg/ml) significantly reduced both the rates of DNA damaged cells and the frequency of micronucleated cells. A high dose of vanillic acid (2 μg/ml) itself had genotoxic effects on DNA. In addition, both test systems showed similar results when tested with the negative control, consisting of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in combination with vanillic acid (1 μg/ml) +MMC. In conclusion, vanillic acid could prevent oxidative damage to DNA and chromosomes when used at an appropriately low dose.