In vitro assessment of anticytotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of CANOVA®

• We investigated the antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects of CANOVA (CA).
• CANOVA is antigenotoxic against NMU.
• CANOVA is anticytotoxic against NMU.

BackgroundCANOVA® (CA) is a homeopathic immunomodulator. It contains several homeopathic medicines prepares according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. CA is indicated in clinical conditions in which the immune system is impaired and against tumors. N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) is an N-nitroso compound, with genotoxic/mutagenic properties. Although several studies have shown promising results in the use of CA, there are no studies reporting possible antigenotoxic effects.MethodThis study evaluated the in vitro antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects of CA in human lymphocytes exposed to NMU. Samples of human lymphocytes that were subjected to different concentrations of a mixture containing CA and NMU were used. The genotoxicity/antigenotoxicity of CA was evaluated by the comet assay, anticytotoxicity was assessed by quantification of apoptosis and necrosis using acridine orange/ethidium bromide.ResultsCA significantly reduced DNA damage induced by NMU and reduced significantly the frequency of NMU-induced apoptosis after 24 h of treatment.ConclusionCA has an important cytoprotective effect significantly reducing the DNA damage and apoptosis induced by the carcinogen NMU.