Abstract

This study investigated the mitigating effect of ethanolic extract of F. platyphylla bark on genotoxicity of Nitrosomethylurea (NMU) on erythropoiesis in mice. 25 albino mice of 19-28g, divided into 5 cages of 5 mice, were pre-treated with 50mg kg-1 single dose NMU intraperitoneally. Groups A, B and C were orally administered 400, 800 and 1600mgkg-1 doses for 10 weeks, while C and D received 3mg kg-1 cisplatin and normal saline respectively. At expiration of the experiment all mice were sacrificed, femur bones isolated and aspirated for micronucleus assay. Results revealed gradual but insignificant body weight increase in treated mice compared to control. Micronucleus assay showed significant dose-dependent decrease in MnPCE and BlebPCE with the highest frequency in negative control. Insignificant dose-dependent decrease was observed in Normal polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE). PCE/ (PCE+NCE{normochromatic erythrocytes}) significantly increased with 1600mgkg-1 dose. The gradual, but insignificant increase in weight of treated mice suggest preliminary mitigating potential of the extract. Increased MnPCE and BlebNCE in control established extent of genetic damage on erythropoiesis by NMU, as MnPCE and BlebNCE decreased dose-dependently, inferring the remediating potential of the plant. F. platiphylla may be adduced to have reduced clastogenic and cytotoxic effects of NMU in erythropoiesis in this study. This is the first study to investigate the mitigating potential of F. platyphulla on genotoxicity of NMU on bone marrow of mice.