The genotoxicity and cytotoxicity assessments of andrographolide in vitro

Abstract Andrographolideis a major phytoconstituent present in Andrographis paniculata, a plant used in traditional medicines in Asia for various ailments. This tropical shrub was reported to possess various pharmacological activities and has been marketed around the world including Europe, however the toxicological data especially potential genotoxicity assessment on the phytocompound is still lacking. This study was performed to assess the ability of andrographolideto induce chromosomal changes using the in vitro cytokinesis-blocked micronucleusassay with immunofluorescent labelling of kinetochoresin metabolically-competent AHH-1 and MCL-5 human lymphoblastoid cell lines. Various cytotoxicity endpoints were also evaluated in this study. Andrographolidewas found to cause a weak increase in micronuclei induction at 10–50 μM in both AHH-1 and MCL- 5 celllines, respectively which were within the historical range. Kinetochoreanalysis revealed that the micronuclei induced in MCL- 5 cellsdue to andrographolideexposure originated via an aneugenicmechanism that was indicated by the relatively higher but non-significant percentage of kinetochorepositive micronuclei compared to negative control. Andrographolidealso elicited a dose-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, with cells dying primarily via necrosis compared to apoptosis. Here we report that andrographolidewas not genotoxic at the doses tested and it induces dose-dependent necrosis in vitro .