Antimutagenic effect of resveratrol

Abstract

Evidence exists from population-based and laboratory studies that some phytochemicals have protective effects against tumors or other diseases and reveal antimutagenic activity. We studied the protective effect of the plant phytoallexin resveratrol on the mutagenic activity of three mutagens, i.e. aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]qui-noline (IQ) and N-nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) using the Ames and the micronucleus tests. In the Ames test, we proved a significant antimutagenic activity only against the indirect mutagens AFB1 and IQ, not against the direct mutagen MNU. A significant decrease of mutagenicity of all three mutagens was detected by the micronucleus test.

Keywords

• resveratrol
• aflatoxin b1
• 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline
• n-nitroso-n-methylurea