Evaluation of Antigenotoxic Effect of Cinnamon Oil and Usnic Acid Blended Nanoemulsion on Swiss Albino Mice

The study aimed to determine the antigenotoxic effect of cinnamon oil and usnic acid blended nanoemulsion against cyclophosphamide-induced genotoxicity in mice. The toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg). The animals were divided into six groups [(negative control group, positive control group, cinnamon oil and usnic acid blend (CUB) group, cinnamon oil and usnic acid blended nanoemulsion (CUN) group, cinnamon oil and usnic acid blend with cyclophosphamide group and cinnamon oil and usnic acid blended nanoemulsion with cyclophosphamide (CUNC) group] each containing five animals. Micronucleus (MN) assay and chromosomal aberration were determined after the administration of a test drug in 24 and 48 h. Results showed that no significant change was found in CUN treated groups in frequency of MN (4.80) and polychromatic erythrocytes / normochromic erythrocytes ratio (1.18) in 48 h. Similarly, no rings formation and centromeric association were seen in CUN treated groups. CUNC group was significantly reduced chromosomal break (12.16), fragmentation (15.16) and percentage chromosomal aberration (19.45) in treated groups as compared to the untreated negative control group after 48 h. The novelty of the work with the use of CUN against genotoxicity may be helpful in the development of safe and effective drug. Thus, CUN may be used to protect cells and prevent mutations against genotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide.