Prevention of cyclophosphamide-induced micronucleus formation in mouse bone marrow by indole-3-carbinol

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a glucobrassicin derivative isolated from cruciferous vegetables. In this study, the protective effect of I3C is reported against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced micronuclei formation in mouse bone marrow cells. The three test doses, namely 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg body weight of I3C provided protection when given 48 hr prior to the single ip administration of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg). The efficacy of the test doses of I3C was also evaluated using a lower dose of CP (25 mg/kg body weight). A significant inhibition in micronuclei formation was noticed with I3C at 250 and 125 mg/kg body weight dose. I3C could not induce micronuclei formation at the test doses 500 and 250 mg/kg body weight. I3C, therefore seems to have a preventive potential against CP-induced micronuclei formation in Swiss mouse bone marrow cells. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.