Chromosome Aberrations, Sister Chromatid Exchange and Micronuclei Formation Analysis in Mice after in vivo Exposure to Bacoside A and B

Abstract

Bacopa monniera L. (Brahmi) is an annual creeping plant has been extensive1y used in the Indian Ayurvedic medicine as a nerve tonic. A mixture of two saponins Bacoside A and B, which are the active constituents of B. monniera has been evaluated for its genotoxic activities in mice with three cytogenetic end points i.e. chromosome aberrations (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronuclei formation (MN). No significant differences were observed in a11 the three end points tested when compared with negative controls. Thus the overall results indicate that Bacoside A and B is not genotoxic and is safe for medicinal use.