Understanding the effects of Abhraka Bhasma on genotoxicity and its DNA repair potential in mouse model

Background: Metal toxicity is of major concern to human health. The metals may modulate molecular mechanisms of various pathways. Rasashastra, the branch of Ayurveda, narrates the properties, unique preparation, processing techniques, and therapeutic uses of minerals. The use of herbal metallic preparations has evoked concern for their potential to produce toxicity, interest in efficacy as therapeutic agents and safety related issues. Abhraka Bhasma, is one such incinerated herbo-metallic preparation of mica, widely used by traditional medicine practitioners. Although there are reports of Abhraka Bhasma on beneficial effects, clear evidence is lacking on the effect of Abhraka Bhasma on genotoxicity and DNA repair. Objective: The present study aims to understand the effects of Abhraka Bhasma on geno toxicity, DNA repair, and other mechanisms in the mice test model. Material and methods: The experiments were conducted in in vivo Swiss albino mice. The acute oral toxicity was performed as per the OECD guidelines. The mice were treated with Abhraka Bhasma (120 or 360 mg/kg body weight) for 7 days. They were then challenged with ethyl methanesulfonate and the DNA repair was analyzed. Results: The data obtained indicated that the Abhraka Bhasma is not a genotoxic and reproductive toxic formulation. The selected higher concentration of Abhraka Bhasma showed a protective role against ethyl methanesulfonate induced chromosomal damages and enhanced constitutive DNA base excision repair in mice. Conclusion: The anti-oxidant, potentiation of DNA repair and hematinic properties of Abhraka Bhasma may be attributed to the synergistic actions of its bioactive components.