Abstract
Evidence exists from population-based and laboratory studies that some phytochemicals have protective effects against tumors or other diseases and reveal antimutagenic activity. We studied the protective effect of the plant phytoallexin resveratrol on the mutagenic activity of three mutagens, i.e. aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)), 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,54]quinoline (IQ) and N-nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) using the Ames and the micronucleus tests.
In the Ames test, we proved a significant antimutagenic activity only against the indirect mutagens AF(B)1 and IQ, not against the direct mutagen MNU. A significant decrease of mutagenicity of all three mutagens was detected by the micronucleus test.