Table 2.
Detection of lesions in DNA (mean ± SD) using the comet assay (DF and DI) in peripheral blood cells of mice exposed to methyl metha-nesulfonate (MMS, 40 mg/kg) and different doses of Melissa officinalis.
| Treatments | Comet assay
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of animals | DF | % reduction | DI | % reduction | |
| Negative Control | 5 | 10.2 ± 2.58 | 10.2 ± 2.58 | - | |
| Positive Control | 5 | 83.8 ± 9.44 | 134.4 ± 29.03 | - | |
| Mo-EE 250 mg + MMS | 5 | 69.6 ± 6.84a | 19.29 | 91.2 ± 13.84b | 34.78 |
| Mo-EE 500 mg + MMS | 5 | 44.5 ± 15.41c | 53.39 | 77 ± 36.09a | 46.21 |
| Mo-EE 500 mg + saline | 5 | 10 ± 2.54 | 13.8 ± 2.68 | - | |
| Mo-AE + saline | 5 | 12.4 ± 2.7 | 14.8 ± 3.42 | - | |
| Mo-AE + MMS | 5 | 68.4 ± 20.5 | 172 ± 101.36 | - | |
SD = standard deviation; DF = damage frequency; DI = damage index; Mo – EE = Eehanol extract of Melissa officinalis; Mo – AE = aqueous extract of M. officinalis.
a
Values differing significantly from positive control, p < 0.05 (Student t-test)
b
p < 0.01,
c
p < 0.001.