Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
antigenotoxic effects, diallyl disulfide, DADS, HepG2 cells, Benzo[a]pyrene
College
Life Sciences
Department
Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Abstract
One of the most effective strategies in cancer control is chemoprevention. Previous studies have shown naturally occurring organosulfur compounds from garlic and onion to be effective against carcinogenesis. The effects of two of these organosulfur compounds, diallyl sulfide (DAS) and diallyl disulfide (DADS), are thought to be of especial worth. Their anti-carcinogenic effects in the human cell line HepG2 are, however, less understood. HepG2 cells are human hepatoblastoma cells that have maintained their xenobiotic metabolizing competence. Because they are similar in function to cells obtained from human liver tissue, they are ideal for research in vitro. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is an especially potent carcinogen found naturally in incompletely combusted organic compounds. The extent and mechanisms of its carcinogenesis have been well documented. The comet (single cell gel electrophoresis) assay is a rapid and sensitive technique for quantifying DNA damage. In this assay, cells are suspended in low melting point agarose, lysed, and electrophoresed at a high pH in order to separate the damaged DNA from the nucleus, forming a comet tail. The resulting comet tail is then compared against a control and an anti-carcinogenic effect of compounds can be quantified.
Recommended Citation
Speers, Corey W. and O'Neill, Dr. Kim L.
(2014)
"Antigenotoxic Effects of Diallyl Disulfide and Allyl Disulfide on Benzo (a) pyrene induced DNA Damage in HepG2 Cells as measured by the Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis Assay,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 831.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/831