Effect of Naringin on the DNA Damage Induced by Daunorubicin in Mouse Hepatocytes and Cardiocytes

Naringin (Nar) is a flavonoid that has shown antigenotoxic effect against the chromosome damage inducedby various compounds. The aims of the present investigation on Nar were threefold: a) to determine its DNAbreaking potential in mouse hepatocytes and cardiocytes, b) to evaluate its capacity to inhibit the DNA damageinduced by daunorubicin (Dau) in the same tissues, and c) to determine its capacity to trap free radicals in vitrousing the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method. For the two first purposes we applied the comet assayto three groups of animals administered with Nar by the oral route (50, 250, 500 mg/kg), and made the observationsbefore the chemical administration and at 3, 12, and 21 h postadministration. Other three groups of micewere given equal doses of Nar, and 1 h later they were intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg/kg of Dau. The resultsshowed that Nar did not induce DNA breakage in both types of studied cells, in contrast with the significantdamage induced by Dau in hepatocytes and cardiocytes. Moreover, the administration of Nar protected the DNAdamage produced by Dau, showing a maximum reduction of 71.3% and 51.1% in hepatocytes and cardiocytes,respectively. With respect to the antioxidant potential, 20mM of Nar produced a free radical scavenging activityas high as 95%. Our study established a high DNA breaking potential of Dau, and a protective effect by Nar,probably related with its capacity to trap free radicals.