Evaluation of the Role of Vitamin C and Melatonin on the Genetic Disorder of Human Blood Lymphocytes in the Presence of Vincristine and Permethrin

Introduction: Various studies have shown that vincristine and permethrin have genetic toxicity on the body's normal cells. Due to the widespread use of these drugs, preventing their toxicity is essential; therefore, in this study, the protective effects of vitamin C and melatonin on the genetic toxicity induced by vincristine and permethrin in peripheral blood lymphocytes were investigated. Material and Methods: The protective effects of vitamin C and melatonin (doses of 50, 100 and 200 µm) on the toxicity of vincristine and permethrin induced by micronucleus test on peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated ,and in statistical tests P <0.05 as the significant level was considered. Results: According to the results vincristine and permethrin caused genetic disorder by 28.80 ± 1.92 and 34±1.58 micronucleus respectively (p<0.0001). However, by exposing vitamin c and melatonin with permethrin at concentrations of 100 μM and 200 μM, the number of micronuclei was significantly decreased by 24.80 ±2.91, 18.00±1.58 (Vit C) and 22.20±3.34, 15.40±1.14 (melatonin) respectively. In contrast, exposure of these two substances together with vincristine in similar concentrations reduced the micronucleus by 16.60± 2.07 ,10.80± 0.83 (Vit C) and 13.00± 1.58, 6.40± 1.14 (melatonin) respectively. Conclusion: As the results of this study showed, permethrin and vincristine both caused genetic toxicity. Melatonin can protect against DNA damage by purifying reactive oxygen species or stimulating the DNA repair system. Vitamin C plays an essential protective role in many toxic reactions of the body. Both antioxidants have been shown to reduce the genetic toxicity of permethrin and vincristine.