Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of Carvacrol on Sister Chromatid Exchanges in Human Lymphocyte Cultures

  • Published:
Cytotechnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Carvacrol is a predominant aromatic compound in oil of oregano. It has naturally remarkable antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasital effects. In this study, genotoxic and antigenotoxic activities of carvacrol were investigated by the in vitro sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay on human peripheral blood lymphocytes. The genotoxicity test was performed with carvacrol in two donors. On the other hand, inhibitory effect of carvacrol was tested in the presence of mitomycin C (MMC) in the same assay. According to data, all doses of carvacrol did not increase the formation of SCE, whereas it inhibited the rate of SCE induced by MMC. In conclusion, carvacrol exhibited a significant antigenotoxic activity in mammalian cells, indicating its potential for use as an antigenotoxic agent.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  • Aeschbach R., Loliger J., Scott B.C., Murcia A., Butler J., Halliwell B. and Aruoma O.I. (1994)Antioxidant action of thymol, carvacrol, 6-gingerol,zingerone and hydroxytyrosol. Food Chem. Toxicol. 32(1): 31-36.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aydin S., Öztürk Y., Beis R. and Baser K.H.C. (1996)Inves-tigation of Origanum onites, Sideritis congesta and Satureja cuneifolia essential oils for analgesic activity. Phytother. Res. 10: 342-344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azcan N., Kara M., Asilbekova D.T., Özek T. and Baser K.H.C. (2000)Lipids and essential oil of Origanum onites L. Khim. Prir. Soedin. 2: 106-109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Didry N., Dubreuil L. and Pinkas M. (1994)Activity of thymol, carvacrol,cinnamaldehyde and eugenol on oral bacteria. Pharm. Acta Helv. 69(1): 25-28.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hartman P.E. and Shankel D.M. (1990)Antimutagens and anticarcinogens: a survey of putative interceptor molecules. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 15: 145-182.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • He L., Mo H., Hadisusilu S., Quresni A.A. and Elson C.E. (1997)Isoprenoids suppress the growth of murine B16 melanomas in vitro and in vivo. Biochem. Mol. J. Nutr. 127(5): 668-674.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jenner P.M., Hagan E.C., Taylor J.M., Cook E.L. and Fitz-hung O.G. (1964)Food flavourings and compounds of related structure.I.Acute oral toxicity. Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 2: 327-343.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Puertas-Mejia M., Hillebrand S., Stashenko E. and Winter-halter P. (2002)In vitro radical scavenging activity of essential oils from Columbian plants and fractions from oregano (Origanum vulgare L.)essential oil. Flav. Frag. J. 17(5): 380-384.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Speit G. and Haupter S. (1985)On the mechanism of differential giemsa staining of bromodeoxyuridine-substituted chromosomes. Hum Genet. 70: 126-129.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stammatia A., Bonsia P., Zuccob F., Moezelaarc R., Alakomid H.-L. and v on Wrightd A. (1999)Toxicity of selected plant volatiles in microbial and mammalian short-term. Food Chem. Toxicol. 37(8): 813-823.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson D.P.(1996)Inhibition of growth of mycotoxigenic Fusarium species by butylated hydroxyanisole and/or carva-crol. J. Food Prot. 59: 412-445.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ultee A., Gorris L.M.G. and Smid E.J. (1998)Bactericidal activity of carvacrol towards the food-born pathogen Bacillus cereus. J. Appl. Microbiol. 85: 211-218.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ultee A., Bennik M.H.J. and Moezelaar R. (2002)The phenolic hydroxyl group of carvacrol is essential for action against the food-borne pathogen Bacillus cereus. Appl. Environ. Microb. 68(4): 1561-1568.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ultee A. and Smid E.J.(2001)Influence of carvacrol on growth and toxin production by Bacillus cereus. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 64: 373-378.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zeytinoglu M., Aydin S., Oztürk Y. and Baser K.H.C. (1998)Inhibitory effects of carvacrol on DMBA induced pulmonary tumorigenesis in rats. Acta Pharm. Turcica. 40(2): 93-98.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zeytinoglu H., Incesu Z. and Baser K.H.C. (2003)Inhibition of DNA synthesis by carvacrol in mouse myoblast cells bearing a human N-ras oncogene. Pytomedicine. 10(4): 292-299.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

İpek, E., Tüylü, B.A. & Zeytinoğlu, H. Effects of Carvacrol on Sister Chromatid Exchanges in Human Lymphocyte Cultures. Cytotechnology 43, 145–148 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CYTO.0000039896.26707.40

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CYTO.0000039896.26707.40

Navigation