Abstract
In the present study we have tested 1, 5, 10 and 20 mu M of estradiol-17 beta for its genotoxic effects in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes in the presence as well as absence of metabolic activation (S9 mix). Estradiol-17 beta was found genotoxic at 10 and 20 mu M in the presence of S9 mix. Further, amounts of 0.5 and 1.0 mu M of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), 2.127 x 10 super(-4) and 3.15 x 10 super(-4) g/ml of Ocimum sanctum L. infusion and 40 and 80 mu M of L-ascorbic acid were treated with 20 mu M of estradiol-17 beta in the presence of S9 mix. The treatment results in the reduction of the genotoxic damage, suggesting their protective action on human lymphocytes in vitro against the estradiol-17 beta induced genotoxic damage.