SUSHAMA PARAB AND MADHAVI INDAP
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anticlastogenic effect of carotenoids extracted from shells of marine crab, Scylla serrata. Shells were first extracted with methanol (CM) and carotenoids were further isolated in petroleum ether soluble part (CPE) of CM extract. Carotenoid concentrate (CPE) was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by thin layer chromatography and spectrophotometric analysis respectively. CPE showed the presence of carotenoids- astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin esters, zeaxanthin and β-carotene. Both CM and CPE were examined for its protective effect against the clastogenicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX) using micronucleus assay in CHO cell line. The CM extract was non-cytotoxic to CHO cells even at high concentration and significantly reduced the number of micronuclei induced by CTX. Anticlastogenic effect of CM was also investigated by measuring chromosomal aberrations in Allium cepa root tip cells for three different treatments, pre-, postand simultaneous treatment. The extract was most effective during post-treatment since there was inhibition of chromosomal aberrations up to 60.9% at highest concentration. CM also inhibited in vitro nitric oxide formation and lipid peroxidation to 91.1% and 78.1% respectively at the highest concentration of 1000μg/mL. Thus the protective effect of extract may be attributed to its potent radical scavenging activity.