Cilostazol geno-protective effects mitigate carbamazepine-induced genotoxicity in human cultured blood lymphocytes

Abstract

Background: Carbamazepine is one of the most widely used antiepileptic drugs. Carbamazepine has been shown to be toxic to cells. Cilostazol, an antiplatelet agent, has known antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. Objective: This study aimed to explore whether carbamazepine and cilostazol exert genotoxic and/or cytotoxic effects in human cultured blood lymphocytes and the impact of combining both drugs on such effects. Methods: Genotoxicity was examined using sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay, while cytotoxicity was evaluated by cell kinetic assays (mitotic and proliferative indices). Results: Study findings have revealed that carbamazepine markedly increased SCEs (p0.05). Carbamazepine increased the cell proliferative index (p<0.01) while cilostazol decreased it (p<0.01). The proliferative index was normalized to the control level when both drugs were combined. Conclusion: We suggest that cilostazol has the potential to protect human lymphocytes from carbamazepine-induced toxic effects.

Keywords

• Carbamazepine
• Cilostazol
• Sister chromatid exchange
• Cell kinetic assays
• Genotoxic
• Cytotoxic