Abstract
Pollution by petrochemical benzene is widespread and a common problem in countries dependent on the oil industry. The risk from benzene exposure arises because is considered as a mutagen with the capacity to affect structural integrity of DNA and the fidelity of its biologic expression. Jatropha curcas (L.) is a multipurpose shrub and used in traditional medicine for various diseases. In this study, we assessed the protective effect of detoxified J. curcas kernel meal (DJKM) against benzene-induced genotoxicity, gene expression alteration and apoptosis in male rats. Adult male rats were treated with benzene and/or several concentrations of DJKM. The results revealed that low, medium and high doses of DJKM prevented negative effects such as DNA damage, expression alterations of CYP1A2, p53 and mdr1b genes, apoptosis or ROS generation induced by benzene. The free radical scavenging activity of the J. curcas kernel meal could be attributed to the steroids and terpenoids present in Jatropha curcas seeds.