The antimutagenic activity of two plant - derived compounds. A comparative cytogenetic study

The antimutagenic activity of alkylresorcinols from cereal grains and anthocyanins from Aronia melanocarpa fruit were compared in three short-term mphocyte tests: a sister chromatid exchange test, a cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay and a thioguanine-resistance test. It was noticed that both tested compounds significantly decreased the rate and frequency of mutations induced in cultured lymphocytes with two standard mtagens: benzo[a]pyrene and mitomycin C. Alkylresorcinols appeared to be acre potent antimutagenic compounds than anthocyanins. Anthocyanins exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect on the generation and release of free radicals by human granulocytes in vitro, as measured with the NBT-reduction test. The results suggest that alkylresorcinols and anthocyanins exerted an antimutagenic influence through multifarious mechanisms, one of which could be a limitation of free radical involvement in mutagenesis.