The protective role of phytochemicals on TiO₂ nanoparticles-induced DNA damage in lymphocytes.
The adverse health effect of nanoparticles is of concern for humans and environment. In the present study, TiO2-nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs)-induced oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes was measured by comet assay. 80 mg ml-1 TiO2-NPs induced approximately 3-fold increase in DNA damage than in the PBS-control group as measured by olive tail moment. However, on treating vitamin C and N-acetylcysteine, DNA damage was effectively protected in a concentration dependent manner. Moreover, the protective effect of several phytochemicals including berberine, resveratrol, sulforaphane, and curcumin on DNA damage caused by TiO2-NPs was manifested. The increased olive tail moment induced by TiO2-NPs was effectively inhibited by treatment with these phytochemicals. Especially, olive tail moment of 5 mg ml-1 berberine-treated group was significantly reduced down to the level of control group, showing almost complete protection. Taken together, the protective effect of phytochemicals against DNA damage by TiO2-NPs may be applied for the development of antidote for TiO2 toxicity.