TY - JOUR
T1 - Preventive effects of anthraquinone food pigments on the DNA damage induced by carcinogens in Drosophila
AU - Takahashi, Eizo
AU - Marczylo, Timothy H.
AU - Watanabe, Toshiro
AU - Nagai, Shiro
AU - Hayatsu, Hikoya
AU - Negishi, Tomoe
PY - 2001/9/1
Y1 - 2001/9/1
N2 - We have previously demonstrated the inhibitory effect of chlorophyllin, a green food additive, on the genotoxicities of various carcinogens in Drosophila. Recently, we reported that purpurin, a component of a red food additive produced from madder root (Rubia tinctorium), inhibits the bacterial mutagenicity of heterocyclic amines. In the present study, we examined antigenotoxic activities of various pigments that are either constituents of food or food additives, using Drosophila in vivo DNA repair assay. Third instar larvae of Drosophila were fed a mutagen with or without pigment. The resulting adult flies were monitored for their male (repair deficient)/female (repair proficient) ratios, which reflect the DNA damage. We tested a total of 20 pigments, which are mainly of plant origins, including flavonoids, carotenoids, anthocyanins, anthraquinones and β-diketone (curcumin)-derivatives, against the genotoxicities of eight carcinogens; IQ, MeIQx, AFB1, NDMA, 2-AAF, DMBA, 4NQO, and MNU. Four anthraquinone pigments (alizarin, purpurin, lac color, and cochineal extract) showed significant antigenotoxic activities. Alizarin and purpurin suppressed the DNA damage induced by IQ, MeIQx, AFB1, NDMA, 2-AAF, DMBA, and MNU. Lac color and cochineal extract showed inhibition against IQ, MeIQx, AFB1, 2-AAF and DMBA. In these inhibitions, suppression of metabolic enzymes may be involved. Since purpurin and alizarin suppressed the activity of MNU, a direct alkylating agent, there may also be a mechanism distinct from enzyme inhibitions in these anthraquinone-mediated suppressions of DNA damage.
AB - We have previously demonstrated the inhibitory effect of chlorophyllin, a green food additive, on the genotoxicities of various carcinogens in Drosophila. Recently, we reported that purpurin, a component of a red food additive produced from madder root (Rubia tinctorium), inhibits the bacterial mutagenicity of heterocyclic amines. In the present study, we examined antigenotoxic activities of various pigments that are either constituents of food or food additives, using Drosophila in vivo DNA repair assay. Third instar larvae of Drosophila were fed a mutagen with or without pigment. The resulting adult flies were monitored for their male (repair deficient)/female (repair proficient) ratios, which reflect the DNA damage. We tested a total of 20 pigments, which are mainly of plant origins, including flavonoids, carotenoids, anthocyanins, anthraquinones and β-diketone (curcumin)-derivatives, against the genotoxicities of eight carcinogens; IQ, MeIQx, AFB1, NDMA, 2-AAF, DMBA, 4NQO, and MNU. Four anthraquinone pigments (alizarin, purpurin, lac color, and cochineal extract) showed significant antigenotoxic activities. Alizarin and purpurin suppressed the DNA damage induced by IQ, MeIQx, AFB1, NDMA, 2-AAF, DMBA, and MNU. Lac color and cochineal extract showed inhibition against IQ, MeIQx, AFB1, 2-AAF and DMBA. In these inhibitions, suppression of metabolic enzymes may be involved. Since purpurin and alizarin suppressed the activity of MNU, a direct alkylating agent, there may also be a mechanism distinct from enzyme inhibitions in these anthraquinone-mediated suppressions of DNA damage.
KW - Alizarin
KW - Anthraquinone
KW - Antigenotoxicity
KW - Drosophila
KW - Food pigment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0035451389&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0035451389&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0027-5107(01)00177-4
DO - 10.1016/S0027-5107(01)00177-4
M3 - Article
C2 - 11506807
AN - SCOPUS:0035451389
SN - 0027-5107
VL - 480-481
SP - 139
EP - 145
JO - Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis
JF - Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis
ER -