Cytoprotective Effect of the Eryngium foetidum “Sacha Culantro” Methanolic Leaf Extract versus Sodium Fluoride Exposed Mice using the Micronucleus Test and the Comet Assay

Introduction: Eryngium foetidum, commonly known as sacha culantro, is a plant that grows in the Peruvian Amazonian jungle, studied for its high concentration of antioxidant substances and various ethnopharmacological properties. The main goal of the study is to observe the cytoprotective and antioxidant effect of the extract from its leafs in Mus musculus previously administered with Sodium fluoride (NaF) using the Micronucleus test and the Comet assay. Methods: The extract was administrated orally in four different concentrations: 180, 360, 720, 1440 mg/Kg for ten days, at the 11^th day a single dose of NaF was administrated via intraperitoneal at 20 mg/Kg. The genotoxicity study was made with mice from the strain BALB/c, using the Micronucleus test on bone marrow and the Comet assay on peripheral blood according the OECD guides 474 and 489 respectively. The statistical analysis was made by the media’s analysis with ANOVA. Results: Significant differences were found in Micronucleus frequency between the highest concentrations of Eryngium foetidum and NaF. The Comet assay showed significant reduction in NaF induced damage according to different concentrations of the extract. Conclusion: The Eryngium foetidum extract has cytoprotective activity against oxidant substances such as NaF.