The Effects of Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Achillea millefolium on DNA Damage in mice

Background: Achillea millefolium Inflorescences (AMI) is one of the oldest and most well-known medicinal plants with potential antioxidant properties. The purpose of this study was aimed to evaluate the effects of three different doses of hydro-alcoholic extract of AMI on DNA Damage in mice. Material & Methods: Twenty four male adult NMRI mice were randomly arranged into 4 groups. Group 1 received normal Saline (0.1 ml/kg), group 2 received hydro-alcoholic extract of AMI (75 mg/kg). Group 3 received hydro-alcoholic extract of AMI (150 mg/kg). Group 4 received hydro-alcoholic extract of AMI (300 mg/kg). Treatments were continued for 35 days. At the end, after mice euthanization by cervical dislocation, Caudaepididymis were used to collect sperm cells and rate of DNA Damage were examined by Acridine Orange Staining. Results: In the groups receiving low and medium doses of AMI, DNA Damage was reduced, but not significantly compared to the control group. But in the group receiving high dose of extract, DNA Damage was significantly increased compared to the control group (P<0/01). Conclusion: In this study, AMI has dose-dependent manner, so that at low and medium doses did not revealed significant effect, but high-dose of AMI caused a significantly remarkable reduction in in vitro fertilization and embryos growth.

Achillea millefolium, Acridine Orange, Antioxidant, DNA Damage, Mice