In vivo studies on the effect of Ocimum sanctum L. leaf extract in modifying the genotoxicity induced by chromium and mercury in Allium root meristems

In vivo cytogenetic assay in Allium cepa root tip cells has been carried out to detect the modifying effect of Ocimum sanctum aqueous leaf extract against chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) induced genotoxicity. It was observed that the roots post-treated with the leaf extract showed highly significant (p < 0.001) recovery in mitotic index (MI) and chromosomal aberrations (CA) when compared to pre-treated (Cr/Hg) samples and the lower doses of the leaf extract were found to be more effective than higher doses. The present study reveals that the Ocimum sanctum leaf extract possesses the protective effect against Cr/Hg induced genetic damage.     

Chromium in tannery industry effluent and its effect on plant metabolism and growth

Different dilution levels of tannery treated effluent and their corresponding concentration of chromium (Cr6+) were studied in a petridish culture experiment on seed germination and seedling growth in radish (Raphanus sativus L). The different concentrations of Cr6+ (2, 5 and 10 ppm) and treated tannery effluent (10, 25 and 50%) showed reduction in seedling growth and related enzymatic activities with increase in concentration of Cr6+ in treatments and effluent both. The low concentration of chromium (2 ppm) and effluent dilution (10%) showed significant growth reduction separately. At this concentration of chromium and effluent dilution chlorophyll content, amylase, catalase and protein contents remained unchanged while with increase in Cr6+ concentration (>2ppm) and effluent dilution (> 10%) in treatments showed growth inhibitory effects.     

Role of the vitamin E model compound Trolox in the prevention of Cr(VI)-induced cellular damage

Given the wide industrial use of chromium (Cr) and its environmental contamination, chromium represents a risk to humans exposed to the metal. Considering that Cr(VI) is a potent oxidizing agent that increases intracellular oxidation and DNA damage, it would be worth considering the pretreatment of cells with antioxidants as a means of preventing Cr(VI)-induced toxicity. The objective of this study was to pretreat yeast cells with the water-soluble vitamin E analogue Trolox in an effort to increase cell tolerance against reactive chromium and reactive oxygen species formed during Cr(VI) reduction. Results revealed a decrease in Cr(VI)-induced cytotoxicity and mitotic gene conversions in Trolox-pretreated cells. The protective effect of Trolox in Cr(VI) induced genotoxicity was confirmed also with the prokaryotic Salmonella typhimurium SOS/umu test. Pretreatment of cells with Trolox (1) increased total Cr bioaccumulation, (2) decreased Cr(VI)-induced intracellular oxidation, (3) decreased Cr(V) persistence and (4) increased OH^? formation in yeast extracts. These findings might be useful in directing future investigations concerning the use of Trolox as a human antioxidant supplement, and in clinical applications related to Cr-induced genotoxicity in occupational and environmental situations where chromium is a problem.     

甲醛对洋葱根尖细胞的遗传毒性效应

将不同浓度(0.1%、1.0%、1.5%和3%)的甲醛溶液作为诱变剂,分别处理洋葱根尖24、36和48 h.通过常规染色体压片技术,观察洋葱根尖细胞有丝分裂现象.研究甲醛对洋葱根尖细胞有丝分裂指数(MI)和染色体畸变的影响,探讨甲醛的遗传毒性和洋葱作为甲醛污染指示植物的可行性.结果表明:不同浓度的甲醛溶液均能使洋葱根尖...     

Statistical interpolation model for the description of ground pollution due to the TCDD produced in the 1976 chemical accident at seveso in the heavily contaminated zone “A”;

The influence of NTA on chromium genetic activity was studied in the D7 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. At low dose (subgenotoxic) of sodium chromate (CrVI) (5mM), NTA increased the point mutation while at higher dose (25 mM) of chromate in the presence of NTA a decrease of point reverse mutation was observed. Probably NTA affected either the uptake of Cr(VI) favouring the intracellular reduction to Cr(III), or the recombinational repair of DNA breaks induced by chromate oxiding activity.

An increase of point (reverse) mutation was obtained in the experiments with NTA and chromium chloride, suggesting the hypothesis that NTA might interact with Cr(III) forming NTA‐Cr(III) complexes able to permeate cellular membranes and bind to DNA. In addition NTA genetic inactivity was confirmed.     

农药氰戊菊酯和三氟氯氰菊酯对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传损伤

采用蚕豆根尖微核技术研究了农药氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯对蚕豆根尖细胞的遗传损伤.测定了不同浓度氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯(5×10-10～5×10-2g·L-1)诱导下的蚕豆根尖细胞微核率、有丝分裂指数和染色体畸变率.结果表明,氰戊菊酯、三氟氯氰菊酯均能诱发较高的微核率,在一定浓度范围内,微核率随两种农药处理浓度的升高而增加,但随着处理浓度的进一步升高微核率反而呈下降趋势;两种农药均可使蚕豆根尖细胞有丝分裂指数增大;并能诱导蚕豆根尖细胞产生较高频率、多种类型的染色体畸变.氰戊菊酯和三氟氯氰菊酯对蚕豆根尖细胞具有明显的遗传毒性.     

加拿大蓬挥发油经不同载体对蚕豆根尖的细胞毒性

采用悬空气法和土培法,研究了加拿大蓬（Erigeron canadensis L.）挥发油对蚕豆（Vacia faba L.）根尖细胞经不同载体的细胞毒性。结果表明：加拿大蓬挥发油对蚕豆根尖细胞的有丝分裂没有显著的影响,但显著抑制了幼根的生长,使根尖细胞产生了多种类型的染色体畸变,导致微核率升高。综合分析表明,加拿大蓬挥发油经土壤载体的化感作用大于经空气载体的化感作用,推测可能是土壤对挥发油的滞留作用增大了化感效应。     

三叶鬼针草对蚕豆根尖遗传毒性的研究

化感作用是外来植物成功入侵和快速扩散的机制之一,为了探讨入侵植物三叶鬼针草(Bidens pilosa L.)的化感作用机制,运用蚕豆根尖微核技术和植物切片技术,研究了不同质量浓度的三叶鬼针草水浸提液对蚕豆(Vicia faba L.)根尖细胞的遗传损伤和对根生长的影响。结果表明,三叶鬼针草水浸提液对蚕豆根尖细胞有丝分裂及生长产生不同程度的抑制和损伤,具有明显的遗传毒性。水浸提液对蚕豆根尖的影响存在显著的时间效应和质量浓度效应。经切片测量统计,水浸提液促进了成熟区细胞平周分裂,使根尖细胞层数增加;同时显著地抑制了细胞伸长,使根尖缩短,整体表现为使根尖加粗变短。三叶鬼针草水浸提液抑制了细胞有丝分裂的正常进行,并随着水浸提液质量分数的升高,分裂期细胞数目下降,微核率逐渐升高。本研究结果表明三叶鬼针草水溶性化感物质对植物的遗传稳定性及细胞形态结构具有一定的影响,三叶鬼针草的化感作用可能是其成功入侵的机制之一。     

Influence of iron plaque on chromium accumulation and translocation in three rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars grown in solution culture

Hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate the role of iron plaque on root surface in chromium accumulation and translocation in three rice cultivars (90-68-2, CDR22 and Jin 23A). Rice seedlings were grown under 1.0 mg L^?1 trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) stress with and without phosphorus (P) treatments. P addition significantly increased the shoot and root biomass in all three rice cultivars. In the absence of P, the amounts of iron plaque (DCB-extractable Fe) on the root surface increased resulting in the increase of Cr accumulation in iron plaque. Compared to that with P treatment, Cr concentrations in iron plaque without P treatment were enhanced by 2–3 folds in the three rice cultivars. There was a significantly positive correlation between DCB-extractable Cr and DCB-extractable Fe on the root surface of the three rice cultivars. There were no significant effects on Cr concentration in roots and shoots between P treatments, but significant differences among cultivars were observed. Cultivar Jin 23A had the lowest Cr concentration both in roots and shoots regardless of P treatment. The results suggest that iron plaque could be a trap for immobilising Cr from environment but may not affect Cr uptake and translocation. Screening and breeding the cultivars with low Cr accumulation is considered as the most effective approach in Cr contaminated areas.     

Stabilization of hexavalent chromium with pretreatment and high temperature sintering in highly contaminated soil

• Separate reduction and sintering cannot be effective for Cr stabilization. • Combined treatment of reduction and sintering is effective for Cr stabilization. • Almost all the Cr in the reduced soil is residual form after sintering at 1000°C. This study explored the effectiveness and mechanisms of high temperature sintering following pre-reduction with ferric sulfate (FeSO₄), sodium sulfide (Na₂S), or citric acid (C₆H₈O₇) in stabilizing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in highly contaminated soil. The soil samples had an initial total Cr leaching of 1768.83 mg/L, and Cr(VI) leaching of 1745.13 mg/L. When FeSO₄ or C₆H₈O₇ reduction was followed by sintering at 1000°C, the Cr leaching was reduced enough to meet the Safety Landfill Standards regarding general industrial solid waste. This combined treatment greatly improved the stabilization efficiency of chromium because the reduction of Cr(VI) into Cr(III) decreased the mobility of chromium and made it more easily encapsulated in minerals during sintering. SEM, XRD, TG-DSC, and speciation analysis indicated that when the sintering temperature reached 1000°C, almost all the chromium in soils that had the pre-reduction treatment was transformed into the residual form. At 1000°C, the soil melted and promoted the mineralization of Cr and the formation of new Cr-containing compounds, which significantly decreased subsequent leaching of chromium from the soil. However, without reduction treatment, chromium continued to leach from the soil even after being sintered at 1000°C, possibly because the soil did not fully fuse and because Cr(VI) does not bind with soil as easily as Cr(III).     

SO2衍生物对蚕豆根尖细胞不同分裂阶段的遗传损伤

研究SO2体内衍生物-亚硫酸钠和亚硫酸氢钠混合液[c(Na2SO3):c(NaHSO3)=3:1]对蚕豆根尖细胞不同分裂时期的遗传损伤效应；结果表明：SO2衍生物（c=0.17-15.0mmolL^-1)诱发蚕豆根尖细胞遗传损伤在细胞分裂的不同阶段有不同的表现形式。间期异常主要是微核和核芽，分裂期异常包括微核，染色体断片，粘连及滞后等，研究结果表明：SO2衍生物处理组蚕豆根尖中，间期微核细胞数，分裂期具有染色体断裂，粘连或滞后的细胞数均明显多于对照组，而且易于观察分析，可以作为环境监测指标。     

铬在小鼠体内的蓄积效应与毒性

铬的工业用途很广,主要用于金属加工、电镀、制革等行业,这些行业排放的三废导致了环境铬污染,对环境生态和人体健康造成危害。为探究铬对动物的毒性作用,选择昆明种纯系小白鼠作为受试生物,研究六价铬在小鼠体内的蓄积效应及毒性。结果显示,饮用水中一定浓度的六价铬(15~70 mg·L-1)可抑制小鼠体重的正常增长,染毒30 d后,小鼠肝脏和肾脏脏器系数下降,脾脏和脑的脏器系数提高;总铬含量在心脏和脾脏中增高,其他脏器中无明显蓄积效应;铬染毒组小鼠骨髓细胞活性氧水平提高,骨髓嗜多染红细胞微核率显著增高。结果表明,通过饮水摄入六价铬可造成小鼠肝肾损伤,心脏和脾脏内铬蓄积,并通过活性氧损伤效应破坏机体的遗传稳定性。     

Biochemical speciation in chromium genotoxicity

The biochemical speciation of chromium compounds in mammalian cells is discussed with respect to uptake, metabolism, DNA binding and damaging. Whereas soluble hexavalent chromium is taken up rapidly and accumulated intracellularly after its reduction, compounds of trivalent chromium penetrate biomembranes about three orders of magnitude slower. Cr(VI) after its uptake is metabolised by electron donating compounds via Cr(V) to Cr(III) compounds. Chromium from various Cr(III) compounds, but not chromate, binds to chromatin in isolated cell nuclei. The DNA‐protein crosslinks and DNA strand breaks observed in rat liver and kidney after chromate administration are also found in vitro, when Cr(III) compounds (but not chromate) interacts with isolated nuclei. In the Chinese Hamster cell HGPRT mutation assay, three out of four tested Cr(III) complexes were found to be mutagenic. In a direct DNA strand break assay with supercoiled bacteriophage PM 2 DNA, neither chromate nor the four Cr(III) compounds tested caused nicks. However, the combined action of chromate plus glutathione as well as the isolated complex of pentavalent chromium, Na₄Cr(glutathione)₄, did cause DNA breaks. Reactive oxygen species are inferred to be the ultimate DNA nicking agents in this assay. In conclusion there appear to be two mechanisms of chromate genotoxicity; one with direct DNA damage caused by Cr(V) species and one via DNA‐protein crosslinks formed with Cr(III), the final reduction state of chromate.     

Toxicity and accumulation of lead and chromium in Hydrocotyle umbellata

The aquatic plant, Hydrocotyle umbellata, was studied for its toxicity and accumulation of lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) in a synthetic solution. Plants were cultured in a modified Hoagland's nutrient solutions supplemented with 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg Pb/l as lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)2] and 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mg Cr/l as potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). They were separately harvested after 3, 6, 9, and 12 days. Plants exposed to Pb and Cr showed significant decreases in the biomass productivity and total chlorophyll content when the exposure time and metal concentration were increased. The accumulation of Pb and Cr in the plants was significantly increased, but it was not linear with the exposure time and metal concentration. Both metals were accumulated higher in the roots than in the shoots. The bioconcentration factor of Pb was higher than that of Cr at the same exposure time, indicating a higher accumulation potential of Pb than Cr in H. umbellata. Toxicity symptoms of both metals showed a reduction in the production of new plantlets, withering of petioles, and change in color of roots from light green to dark brown. Pb caused leaf chlorosis, whereas Cr caused leaf necrosis. The toxicity symptoms increased when the exposure time and metal concentration were increased.     

Detection of lipid peroxidation and cytotoxicity induced by aluminium (Al) and cobalt (Co) ions in barbunia root tip cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of different concentrations of Aluminium (Al) and Cobalt (Co) heavy metal ions on Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Barbunia (Fabaceae) root tips. We used the germination percentage (GP), root length (RL), weight gain (WG) and micronucleus (MN) frequency as indicators of cytotoxicity and correlated these data with statistical parameters. Additionally to the cytogenetic analysis, lipid peroxidation and DNA analyses were performed in root tips of barbunia seeds treated with Al and Co metals. The seeds were divided into five groups as control, Al and Co treatment groups. They were treated with 25 and 50 ppm doses of Al and Co during 7 days. The results indicated that there was an alteration in the GP, RL, WG and MN frequency depending on the treatment dose in the seeds exposed to Al and Co metal ions when compared with the controls. Al and Co metal ions at both the doses significantly reduced the GP, RL and WG in seeds of all the treatment groups. The highest GP was observed in seeds of the control group (in proportion as 96%). 25 and 50 ppm doses of Co and Al caused 30, 50 and 42, 64% decrease of seed germination, respectively. In the control group, the final weights of all the seeds increased about 1.31 g when compared to initial weight. The mean RL of control seeds were measured as 3.71 cm at the end of experimental period. In Co andAl groups, the final weights of seeds increased about 0.34 g and 0.19 g according to initial weight at 50 ppm dose, respectively But, Al and Co ions caused a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of MN. The highest frequency of MN was observed at 50 ppm dose of Al and least frequency of MN was observed at 25 ppm dose of Co. Besides, 25 and 50 ppm concentrations of Al and Co significantly enhanced the lipid peroxidation and caused an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels at both the doses. In roots treated with 25 and 50 ppm doses of Al, the increase of MDA was about 62 and 136% according to control, respectively In Co-treated roots, the increase of MDA was about 31 and 91% according to the control at 25 and 50 ppm doses, respectively The investigated parameters (except MN and MDA) were higher in the seeds exposed to Co than the seeds treated with Al. Moreover, it was observed that the yields of DNA in the seeds treated with Al andCo metals were lower than recorded in the controls. Hence, DNA yields exposed to Al and Co were run ahead on agarose gel according to the control group. The results of the present study indicate that Al and Co metal ions have toxic effects on barbunia root tip cells, and the selected parameters such as the GP, RL, WG, MN and MDA are very sensitive and useful biomarkers for biomonitoring these effects.     

两种高效光引发剂的体外细胞染色体畸变实验（Effect of SO2 Derivatives on Liver T Lymphocytes Subsets CD4+/CD8+ of C57BL/6 Mice）

为检测高效光引发剂4,4′-二甲基二苯基碘鎓盐六氟磷酸盐(IHT-PI820)和2-异丙基硫杂蒽酮(IHT-PIITX)的染色体畸变作用,采用体外培养中国仓鼠肺成纤维细胞(CHL)染色体畸变实验,在代谢活化与非代谢活化条件下,观察PI820及ITX致CHL细胞株染色体数目及结构的变化.结果显示:在非代谢活化条件下,PI820引起CHL细胞多倍体增加,并具有剂量反应关系,在代谢活化条件下未见对CHL细胞染色体有损伤作用;在代谢活化与非代谢活化条件下,均未观察到ITX对CHL细胞染色体的损伤作用.PI820可引起CHL细胞染色体数目畸变,ITX无染色体畸变作用.     

铬胁迫下不同品种小麦萌发和内源激素的变化

采用K2(CrO4)3溶液,设5个浓度,对3种不同抗性的小麦品种(新麦19、矮抗58和豫麦18)进行萌发期胁迫处理,研究了幼苗的发芽势、发芽率、根长、芽长及内源激素含量的变化.结果表明:(1)随着铬浓度的增加,发芽势、发芽率和芽长均基本呈"先升后降"趋势;(2)同一浓度铬处理下,发芽率、发芽势和芽长从大到小的顺序依次为:新麦19、矮抗58、豫麦18,根长从大到小的顺序为:豫麦18、新麦19、矮抗58;(3)150 mg L-1的铬胁迫下,IAA与ABA在小麦幼苗、幼根中含量降低,在籽粒中含量升高,其中新麦19籽粒和根芽中ABA含量均高于其他品种的;(4)不同浓度铬胁迫下,IAA/ABA值在新麦19中最低,变化幅度最小,新麦19表现出较强的抵抗铬胁迫能力.图3表1参20     

Effect of nickel-stresses on uptake, pigments and antioxidative responses of water lettuce, Pistia stratiotes L

Water lettuce plants were exposed to various concentrations (0, 0.01,0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 ppm) of nickel as nickel sulphate in nutrient medium. The effect of graded nickel (Ni +2) concentrations on visible symptoms of toxicity, pigments (chlorophyll a, b and total) and antioxidative attributes were evaluated. Plants exposed to high nickel (1.0 and 10.0 ppm) showed visible toxicity symptoms, such as wilting, chlorosis in young leaves, browning of root tips and broken off roots, observed at 6 days after treatment. Nickel was accumulated more in root (863.3 microg g-1 dry weight) than leaves (116.2 microg g-1 dry weight) at 6 days of treatment. Nickel exposure decreased chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll contents. Relative water content decreased at high nickel (1.0 and 10.0 ppm).Antioxidants, such as proline content and peroxidase activity increased with increase in nickel concentrations, whereas, other carotenoids and protein contents at 1.0 ppm and activity of catalase at 10 ppm of nickel were decreased. The low level of nickel stimulates photosynthetic pigments and antioxidative attributes. The study may be helpful in phytoremedial strategies and biological indication of nickel toxicity in aquatic plants.     

Inhibitory effect of the plant Boerhavia diffusa l. against the dermatophytic fungus Microsporum fulvum

Antifungal activity (reduction in colony diameter) of various extracts (pt. ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethyl alcohol and aqueous) of aerial and root parts of Boerhavia diffusa (Nictaginaceae) was screened against dermatophytic fungi Microsporum fulvum. Statistically significant increase has been recorded in the % inhibition of the target fungal species with increasing test concentrations (1000-5000 ppm) of chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethyl alcohol extracts of the root. The maximum % inhibition observed in various solvent extracts of root was about 26% (chloroform), 46% (ethyl alcohol) and 57% (ethyl acetate) at 5000 ppm concentration with time exposure of 10 days. The colony diameter of the target mycelial colony decreased with increasing supplementation of the phytoextract, showing the presence of significant amount of some antifungal phytochemical moiety.     

Genotoxicity evaluation of surface waters located in urban area of Xi’an City using Vicia faba bioassays

In this study, micronucleus （MCN） and chromosome aberration （CA） tests in Vicia faba root tip cells were carried out in order to assess the water quality and the comprehensive genotoxic potential of surface waters located in the urban area of Xi＇an City, China. For these evaluations, water samples from different surface waters （four rivers, two lakes, two biological treatment plant effluents） were collected, the ultra-pure water and methyl methanesulfonate solution was used as the negative and positive control, respectively. In our results, highly significant differences in MCN perrnillage （average number of micronuclei per 1000 cells）, CA frequencies and PI （pollution index） values were found among three rivers and two WWTP effluents, the tested samples from two rivers caused the decrease of mitotic index over 22% compared with the negative control. No significant changes were observed in micronuclei and chromosome aberrations frequencies at one river and two lakes during the period of test （wet season）. These results point out a poor state of the water quality and genotoxic activity of the main surface waters in Xi＇an City. It is recommended to establish a monitoring program for the presence of genotoxic agents in these surface waters.