Mitigating Genotoxicity: The Protective Effects of Calocybe indica Extracts against Coca-Cola Induced Chromosomal Damage

Back Ground: Calocybe indica, commonly known as milky mushroom, is an edible mushroom primarily cultivated in tropical regions. It has been known for its nutritional and medicinal properties, but research into its antigenotoxic potential is relatively a new area.

Aim of the Study: The present investigation aims to understand the antigenotoxic potential of the aqueous basidiocarp extract of C. indica

Materials and Methods: Allium cepa test system was used. Meristematic cells of A. cepa root tips treated with 100% Coca-Cola served as a positive control, while onion bulbs germinated in distilled water served as a negative control. The antigenotoxic potential of C. indica was investigated using the aqueous basidiocarp extract (25 g/L and 50 g/L). The time for each treatment was 72 hours. The roots were fixed using Carnoy’s solution, hydrolyzed in 1 mol/L HCl at 60°C for a minute, crushed with 2% acetocarmine and observed under the light microscope.

Results: The present study indicated a significant reduction in the mitotic index in the positive control compared to the negative control. The highest percentage of chromosomal abnormalities was also observed in the positive control. Chromosomal abnormalities were significantly reduced in root tip cells treated with positive control followed by treatment with basidiocarp extracts such as 25 g/L and 50 g/L. Coca-Cola-induced chromosomal abnormalities were reduced by treatment with basidiocarp extracts, demonstrating the antimutagenic potential of C. indica.

Conclusion: The present study proves the antigenotoxic effects of aqueous basidiocarp extracts of C. indica. The clastogenic abnormalities caused by Coca-Cola are competently restored in the root meristem cells of A. cepa treated with the aqueous basidiocarp extract. C. indica is a rich food with vitamins, minerals and fibers in addition to the antigenotoxic potential which in that case is double useful.