Anticlastogenic activity of ethanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria fruit (ELSF) against cyclophosphamide induced genotoxicity in mice

To investigate the potential of ethanolic extracts of Lagenaria siceraria fruit (ELSF) in protecting against cyclophosphamide (CP)—induced genotoxicity in Swiss albino mice. The study used a pre-treatment approach with ELSF given orally to the animals at two different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg) for 14 days straight. The CP induction group was given prior treatment for 14 days with ELSF (100 and 200 mg/kg) and the positive control group received an i.p (single intraperitoneal) cyclophosphamide dose (40 mg/kg) as the induction agent. The frequency of CP-induced micronuclei and damage to DNA was assessed as hallmark in bone marrow cells isolated form mouse. Study findings revealed that ELSF pre-treatment significantly lowered the frequency of CP-induced micronuclei and DNA damage in mouse bone marrow cells. The suppression effect as protectant was observed at both doses of ELSF (100 and 200 mg/kg). The study demonstrated that ELSF has potential chemoprotective properties against CP-induced genotoxicity. The findings suggest that ELSF could be a natural and safe approach to protecting healthy cells from the harmful effects of chemotherapy. Further clinical investigation warrants the ameliorative potential of ELSF in cancer treatment.