Evaluation of Genotoxicity Profile of Tamra Bhasma (A Copper Based Metallic Preparation) in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Introduction: Since, thousands of years we have been using natural medication in Indian system of medicine. Till today lots of work has been done to study their toxicity, but very few studies have been undertaken on genotoxicity. There is urgent requirement for taking initiative in this regard. Hence, interested in evaluating the genotoxicity potential of Tamra Bhasma well known metallic (Copper) preparation widely used in alternative system of medicine. Aim: To evaluate the genotoxicity profile of Tamra Bhasma drug (a copper based metallic formulation in Indian system of Medicine) with main emphasis on comet assay, micronucleus assay and chromosomal aberration assay in Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: Animals were randomly grouped into four different groups containing ten mice (five male and five female) in each group. Group I considered as normal control which received only vehicle (0.5% CMC). The Group II considered as positive control and on 28th day which received cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg/body weight) through intra-peritoneal injection for comparative assessment. The Groups III and IV administered with test drug Tamra Bhasma 2.86 mg/kg and 14.3 mg/kg respectively. These groups were administered the test drug for 28 consecutive days. On 29th day blood was collected into heparinized tubes for comet assay analysis. Half of the animals were injected with colchicine (4 mg/kg IP) in order to arrest the cells into metaphase stage and then sacrificed the animals to collect the bone marrow from the both the femurs for chromosomal aberration analysis. The rest of the animals were also sacrificed and bone marrow was collected for micronuclei analysis. Results: The repeated administration of test drug Tamra Bhasma of both the dose levels didn’t produce remarkable genotoxicity, DNA damage or chromosomal abnormalities both numerically as well as structurally. However, Tamra Bhasma administered at both the dose level groups showed slight increase in comet height, comet tail length, % DNA and Tail movement. But increase was not significant as compare to normal control. Conclusion: The repeated administration of test drug Tamra Bhasma at therapeutic dose level confirms its relative safety and did not produce any marked toxic effect or genetic material abnormalities. This work may inspire more efficacious and safer use in clinical set up and global acceptance of the test formulation.

Keywords

• chromosomal aberration
• comet assay
• micronuclei assay