DNA PROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF FORSKOLIN ON ETHYL METHANESULFONATE-INDUCED GENOTOXITY

Abstract

Forskolin, a diterpene with multiple physiological effects, found in the root of the plant Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq., is used in traditional medicine in the treatment of various diseases. Also, it has been proposed as a natural weight loss supplement. Considering the widespread usage for therapeutic purposes and as a weight loss agent, a sex-linked recessive lethal (SLRL) assay was performed in germ cells of Drosophila melanogaster to assess genotoxic and possible DNA protective effects of forskolin on ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced DNA damage. The genotoxic effect of forskolin was tested at a concentration of 100 ppm for exposure periods of 24 h. To assess the DNA protective effect, D. melanogaster males were treated with EMS (0.75 ppm), 24 h prior to forskolin (100 ppm). Treated D. melanogaster males showed significant reductions in the frequency of sex-linked recessive lethal mutations in all three broods in comparison with the negative and positive controls. The genotoxic evaluation of forskolin by in vivo SLRL assay indicated that this compound did not induce any genotoxic effect and also exhibited a DNA protective potential against EMS.