Anticlastogenic and anticarcinogenic potential of Thai bitter gourd fruits.

Thai bitter gourd fruits (Momordica charantia Linn., TBG) has been previously demonstrated to possess phase II detoxificating enzymes inducing properties, as well as the ability to reduce phase I carcinogen activating enzyme activity in rat liver. In addition, it was partially inhibited 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)- induced mammary gland carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Quinone reductase inducers in Azadirachta indica A. Juss flowers, and their mechanisms of action.

We have previously shown that the flowers of neem tree (Azadirachta indica A. Juss, family Meliaceae), Thai variety, strongly induced the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) while resulting in a significant reduction in the activities of some cytochrome P(450)-dependent monooxygenases in rat liver, and possess cancer chemopreventive potential against chemically-induced mammary gland and liver carcinogenesis in rats. In the present study, 2 chemicals possessing strong QR inducing activity were fractionated from neem flowers using a bioassay based on the induction of QR activity in mouse hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cultured cells.

Mutagenicity of the drinking water supply in Bangkok.

Seventeen samples of tap water in Bangkok and 2 neighboring provinces were collected in winter and summer, concentrated and tested for mutagenic activity using the Ames Salmonella mutagenesis assay. Preliminary results demonstrated that concentrated tap water exhibited clear mutagenicity towards S. typhimurium TA100 and YG1029, but not towards TA98 and YG1024, in the absence of S9 mix, and the addition of S9 mix markedly decreased the mutagenicity to both tester strains.

Carcinogenicity Testing of the Cosmetic Dye: D&C Red No. 36.

D&C Red No. 36, a drug and cosmetic dye commonly used for coloring lipsticks, was evaluated for its carcinogenic potential in male and female Wistar rats. This dye has been shown to exhibit mutagenic activity towards Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 in the presence of S9 mix.

Chemopreventive Potential of Neem Flowers on Carcinogen-Induced Rat Mammary and Liver Carcinogenesis.

We have previously reported that dietary neem flowers (Azadirachta indica A. Juss var. siamensis Valeton) caused a marked increase in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver, while resulting in a significant reduction in the activities of some hepatic P450-dependent monooxygenases.