A modulator against gliotoxin-induced genotoxic damage: Pseudovernia furfuracea (L.) zoph.

Abstract

Gliotoxin (GTX) is one of the toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic seconder metabolite which is produced by Gliocladium, Aspergillus and Penicillum species. Many in vivo and in vitro studies were carried out to minimize these harmfull effects of mycotoxins. To our best knowledge, the effects of the lichen, Pseudovernia furfuracea, against genetic damage induced by GTX on human lymphocytes were not evaluated. Therefore, in the present study, we assessed the genotoxic effects of GTX at different concentrations (50, 75 and 100 .ng/mL) and the role of P. furfuracea (5 and 10 |jg/mL) in GTX-treated cultures (n=2). The sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test was used to monitor the genetic damage. Our results indicated that, GTX caused statistically significant increases in SCE frequency as compared to control group. However, the SCE rates induced by different GTX concentrations were alleviated by the presence of P. furfuracea. As conclusion, the results of present study revealed for the first time that the lichen P. furfuracea provided increased resistance of DNA against GTX-induced genetic damage on human lymphocytes.