Phytoremediation of methotrexate induced genotoxicity in Heteropneustes fossilis using extracts of Centella asiatica

Abstract

The extracts of Centella asiatica (commonly known as Mandukaparni), are widely used in ethnobotanical. This study has first taken the initiative of assessing their chemo-protective properties against Methotrexate (MTX) insult. Heteropneustes fossilis was chosen as the model for this experiment and they were divided into three groups. Group 1 was kept as the control; Group 2 was given sub-lethal concentrations of MTX; Group 3 was administered Centella asiatica extract simultaneously with MTX. The extent of genotoxicity was monitored by micronucleus assay. This setup enabled us to clarify whether the extract had any remedial effect on MTX induced genotoxicity. The results indicated that Centella asiatica extract can be used to alleviate the damage induced by MTX. This study has opened up new frontiers for preventing any collateral damage done by chemotherapy drugs and directing their effects towards only the carcinogenic cells. Further research is required for practical application of these plant extracts in cancer patients, as an efficient mechanism for delivering the drug to the normal tissues is yet to be invented.