Anticlastogenic activity of beta-carotene against cyclophosphamide in mice in vivo

beta-Carotene (BC), a natural food colourant and an antioxidant, acts as an antimutagen/anticarcinogen in several test systems. The anticlastogenic activity of BC against cyclophosphamide (CP) was studied in bone marrow cells of mice in vivo. Seven days' oral priming with BC (2.7 and 27 mg/kg b.w.) followed by an acute treatment with cyclophosphamide (25 mg/kg b.w.; i.p.) inhibited clastogenicity. The values of chromosomal aberrations and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes were consistently lower than the sum of the expected values of BC and CP given individually. This antagonistic response indicates anticlastogenic activity of BC against CP.